Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2019.

Registration Nos. 333-146374

811-22127

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

Form N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933     
   Pre-Effective Amendment No.     
   Post-Effective Amendment No. 68     

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940     
   Amendment No. 69     

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

 

 

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 345-6611

 

 

 

Christopher O. Petersen, Esq.

c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

225 Franklin Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

Ryan C. Larrenaga, Esq.

c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

225 Franklin Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agents for Service)

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

   Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
   On May 1, 2019 pursuant to paragraph (b)
   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
   On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
   On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

   This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

This Post-Effective Amendment relates to all series of the Registrant.

 

 

 


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds

    
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Balanced Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund
(known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund prior to 11/26/18)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund
(known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund prior to 5/1/19)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund
(known as Columbia Variable Portfolio Mid Cap Value Fund prior to 5/1/19)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund
(known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value prior to 5/1/19)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund
CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
 

  
Each above-named Columbia Variable Portfolio, CTIVP ® and Variable Portfolio Fund (each a “VP Fund” or a “Fund” and together the “VP Funds” or the “Funds”) may offer Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and certain other qualified institutional investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Funds.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Table of Contents
SUMMARIES OF THE FUNDS
Investment Objective(s), Fees and Expenses of the Fund, Principal Investment Strategies, Principal Risks, Performance Information, Fund Management, Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Tax Information, Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
 

3

11

16

21

28

38

43

50

57

66

71

76

81

90

94

99

104

112

121

127

132
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
Investment Objective(s), Principal Investment Strategies, Principal Risks, Portfolio Management
 

138

146

150

155

162

173

177

184

191

200

204

208

213

222
Prospectus 2019 1

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Table of Contents (continued)

225

229

233

240

250

256

261

268

268

273

275

276

277

277

277

278

280

284

284

285

287

291

295

299

303

307

311

315

319

323

327

331

335

339

343

347

351

355

359

363

367
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Balanced Fund (the Fund) seeks maximum total investment return through a combination of capital growth and current income.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.69% 0.69% 0.69%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.09% 0.09% 0.09%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.78% 1.03% 0.91%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 80 $249 $433 $ 966
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $105 $328 $569 $1,259
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 93 $290 $504 $1,120
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 81% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in a mix of equity and debt securities. The Fund’s assets are allocated among equity and debt securities (which includes cash and cash equivalents) based on an assessment of the relative risks and returns of each asset class. The Fund generally will invest between 35% and 65% of its net assets in each asset class, and in any event will invest at least 25% and no more than 75% of its net assets in each asset class under normal circumstances.
With respect to its equity securities investments, which may include among other types of equity securities, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, the Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies that, at the time of purchase, have large market capitalizations (generally over $5 billion).
With respect to its debt securities investments, the Fund invests primarily in securities that, at the time of purchase, are rated investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality. These securities include debt securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, debt securities issued by corporations, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and other debt securities with intermediate- to long-term maturities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures). The Fund may invest in derivatives for both hedging and non-hedging (investment) purposes, including, for example, to seek to enhance returns or as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset, as well as to manage duration, yield curve and/or interest rate exposure.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Issuer Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as two additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 13.48%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -9.63%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 06/25/2014 -5.76% 5.29% 9.90%
Class 2 06/25/2014 -6.00% 5.03% 9.68%
Class 3 04/30/1986 -5.89% 5.13% 9.82%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 60% S&P 500 Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -2.35% 6.24% 9.42%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 8.49% 13.12%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 3.48%
  
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Guy Pope, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Contrarian Core Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2011
Jason Callan   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Structured Assets   Portfolio Manager   2018
Gregory Liechty   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2011
Ronald Stahl, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Short Duration and Stable Value Team   Portfolio Manager   2011
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Disciplined Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.63% 0.63% 0.63%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.66% 0.91% 0.79%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $67 $211 $368 $ 822
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $93 $290 $504 $1,120
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $81 $252 $439 $ 978
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 74% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations greater than $5 billion at the time of purchase or that are within the market capitalization range of companies in the S&P 500 Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stocks. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (continued)
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity futures and index futures) for cash equitization purposes.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers employ a process that applies fundamental investment concepts in a systematic framework seeking to identify and exploit mispriced stocks. The Fund benefits from collaboration between quantitative and fundamental research to create sector and industry-specific multi-factor stock selection models, which are utilized by the portfolio managers when constructing a diversified portfolio.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Quantitative Model Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. While security selection is driven by fundamental concepts, a quantitative process is used to construct the portfolio. Additionally, a qualitative review of the quantitative output is conducted by the portfolio managers. Therefore, the Fund’s performance will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make active, qualitative decisions, including allocation decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (continued)
maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 16.69%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -14.52%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -3.60% 8.57% 13.46%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -3.85% 8.29% 13.20%
Class 3 10/13/1981 -3.74% 8.42% 13.33%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 8.49% 13.12%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Condon, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Strategies   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Peter Albanese   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Dividend Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income and, as a secondary objective, steady growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.66% 0.66% 0.66%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.06% 0.06% 0.06%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.02% 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.74% 0.99% 0.87%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 76 $237 $411 $ 918
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $101 $315 $547 $1,213
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 89 $278 $482 $1,073
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 87% of the average value of its portfolio.
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in equity securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks. The selection of dividend-paying stocks is the primary decision in building the investment portfolio. The Fund invests principally in securities of companies believed to be attractively valued and to have the potential for long-term growth. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as structured investments (including equity-linked notes), for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes and to increase investment flexibility.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund (continued)
activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. Structured investments may create economic leverage which may increase the volatility of the value of the investment. Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund (continued)
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance, as well as another measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 17.80%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -18.31%
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -5.73% 5.60% 10.43%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -6.01% 5.34% 10.17%
Class 3 09/15/1999 -5.87% 5.47% 10.31%
MSCI USA High Dividend Yield Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of
withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)
  -3.23% 8.41% 12.23%
Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -8.27% 5.95% 11.18%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
David King, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2018
Yan Jin   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 1.09% 1.09% 1.09%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.12% 0.12% 0.12%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 1.21% 1.46% 1.34%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.07%) (0.07%) (0.07%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 1.14% 1.39% 1.27%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 1.14% for Class 1, 1.39% for Class 2 and 1.265% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $116 $377 $658 $1,460
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $142 $455 $791 $1,740
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $129 $417 $727 $1,606
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 41% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities (including, but not limited to, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks) of companies located in emerging market countries. The Fund may also gain exposure to such companies through investment in depositary receipts. Emerging market countries include those countries whose economies are considered to be developing or emerging from underdevelopment.
The Fund may invest in a variety of countries, industries and sectors and does not attempt to invest a specific percentage of its assets in any given country, industry or sector. However, the Fund has invested substantially in the financial services sector and information technology and technology-related sectors and may continue to invest substantially in these or other sectors in the future. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
The Fund may invest in special situations, such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies.
The Fund may invest in securities that the investment manager believes are undervalued, represent growth opportunities, or both.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Emerging Market Securities Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Greater China. The Greater China region consists of Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China and Taiwan, among other countries, and the Fund's investments in the region are particularly susceptible to risks in that region. Adverse events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries in the region or Asia as a whole. As a result, adverse events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified, which could result in greater volatility in the Fund’s NAV and losses. Markets in the Greater China region can experience significant volatility due to social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector and the information technology sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 32.32%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -24.47%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -21.62% 1.61% 7.82%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -21.78% 1.37% 7.57%
Class 3 05/01/2000 -21.73% 1.49% 7.70%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees expenses or other taxes)   -14.57% 1.65% 8.02%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Dara White, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2012
Robert Cameron   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2012
Jasmine (Weili) Huang*, CFA, CPA
(U.S. and China), CFM
  Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2012
Young Kim   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2015
Perry Vickery, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2017
* Ms. Huang is on a medical leave of absence and a timetable for her return is not set.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Global Strategic Income Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through income and growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.65% 0.65% 0.65%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses (a) 0.19% 0.19% 0.19%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.84% 1.09% 0.97%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (b) (0.26%) (0.26%) (0.26%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.58% 0.83% 0.71%
(a) Other expenses have been restated to reflect current fees paid by the Fund.
(b) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.58% for Class 1, 0.83% for Class 2 and 0.705% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $59 $242 $440 $1,013
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $85 $321 $576 $1,305
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $73 $283 $511 $1,166
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 86% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in debt obligations of issuers located in at least three different countries (which may include the U.S.). Debt obligations include debt securities and instruments, including money market instruments, either issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by (i) the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, (ii) non-U.S. governments, their agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, or (iii) corporate or other non-governmental entities. The Fund may invest in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest significantly in below investment-grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”) in seeking to achieve higher dividends and/or capital appreciation.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas and may invest in issuers in emerging markets. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
In addition, in pursuing its objective, the Fund, employing both fundamental and quantitative analyses, may enter into various currency-, interest rate- and credit-related transactions involving derivatives instruments. The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures contracts (including currency, index, interest rate, and other bond futures), and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, inflation rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and total return swaps). The use of these derivative instruments allows the Fund to obtain net long or net negative (short) exposure to selected currencies, interest rates, credit risks and duration risks. The Fund may use these derivatives as well as “to be announced” (TBA) mortgage-backed securities in an effort to leverage exposures and produce incremental earnings, for hedging purposes, to obtain increased or decreased exposures to various markets/sectors or to increase investment flexibility. Actual long and short exposures will vary over time based on factors such as market movements, assessments of market conditions, macroeconomic analysis and qualitative valuation analysis.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , High-Yield Investments Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money .
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on
30 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
32 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, short sales, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Because short sales involve borrowing securities and then selling them, the Fund’s short sales effectively leverage the Fund’s assets. The Fund's assets that are used as collateral to secure the Fund's obligations to return the securities sold short may decrease in value while the short positions are outstanding, which may force the Fund to use its other assets to increase the collateral. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund
Prospectus 2019 33

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
(i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
34 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Short Positions Risk. The Fund may establish short positions which introduce more risk to the Fund than long positions (where the Fund owns the instrument or other asset) because the maximum sustainable loss on an instrument or other asset purchased (held long) is limited to the amount paid for the instrument or other asset plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum price of the shorted instrument or other asset when purchased in the open market. Therefore, in theory, short positions have unlimited risk. The Fund’s use of short positions in effect “leverages” the Fund. Leverage potentially exposes the Fund to greater risks of loss due to unanticipated market movements, which may magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns. To the extent the Fund takes a short position in a derivative instrument or other asset, this involves the risk of a potentially unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument or other asset.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Hedged USD Index, which is a broad measure of market performance, as well as the Bloomberg Barclays Global Credit Hedged USD Index, which is another measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Effective November 15, 2018, the Fund compares its performance to that of the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Hedged USD Index (the New Index). Prior to this date, the Fund compared its performance to that of the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (unhedged) (the Former Index). The Fund’s investment manager recommended this change because it believes that the New Index provides a more appropriate basis for comparing the Fund’s performance. Information on the Former Index also will be shown for a one-year transition period.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 35

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2010 8.20%
Worst

4th Quarter 2016 -7.62%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -5.20% -1.20% 1.46%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -5.51% -1.45% 1.22%
Class 3 05/01/1996 -5.34% -1.31% 1.34%
Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Hedged USD Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   1.76% 3.44% 3.78%
Bloomberg Barclays Global Credit Hedged USD Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -0.47% 3.54% 5.29%
Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -1.20% 1.08% 2.49%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Gene Tannuzzo, CFA   Deputy Global Head of Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Tim Jagger   Head of Emerging Market Debt and Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   November 2018
Ryan Staszewski, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   November 2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
36 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 37

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Government Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.39% 0.39% 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.08% 0.08% 0.08%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.47% 0.72% 0.60%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.07%) (0.07%) (0.07%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.40% 0.65% 0.53%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.40% for Class 1, 0.65% for Class 2 and 0.525% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $41 $144 $256 $585
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $66 $223 $394 $888
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $54 $185 $328 $743
38 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in government securities, cash and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash. For purposes of this policy, “government securities” are any securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the United States, or by a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the Government of the United States pursuant to authority granted by the Congress of the United States, or any certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing.
The Fund typically invests in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and other obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements secured by such obligations. The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate instruments, and may transact in securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (including U.S. Treasury floating rate notes). The Fund invests in a portfolio of securities maturing in 397 days or less (as maturity is calculated by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules governing the operation of money market funds) that will have a dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less and a dollar-weighted average life of 120 days or less.
The securities purchased by the Fund are subject to the quality, diversification, and other requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and other rules of the SEC. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in government securities and/or repurchase securities that are collateralized by government securities. The Fund will only purchase government securities, cash, repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash, and up to 0.5% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in other securities that present minimal credit risk as determined by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the Investment Manager), pursuant to guidelines approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the Fund will not be subject to liquidity fees and redemption gates at this time.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Money Market Fund Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the net asset value (NAV) of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of a security or instrument in the Fund’s portfolio may or will decline if the issuer fails to pay interest or repay principal when due. The value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer of the instrument defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Prospectus 2019 39

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. The Fund’s yield will vary; it is not fixed for a specific period like the yield on a bank certificate of deposit. Under certain circumstances, the yield decline could cause the Fund’s net yield to be negative (such as when Fund expenses exceed income levels). Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Risk . Although government money market funds (such as the Fund) may seek to preserve the value of shareholders’ investment at $1.00 per share, the NAVs of such money market fund shares can fall, and in infrequent cases in the past have fallen, below $1.00 per share, potentially causing shareholders who redeem their shares at such NAVs to lose money from their original investment.
At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund and cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. Additionally, in some cases, the default of a single portfolio security could cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
Reinvestment  Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Repurchase Agreements  Risk. Repurchase agreements are agreements in which the seller of a security to the Fund agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Repurchase agreements carry the risk that the counterparty may not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. This could cause the Fund's income and the value of your investment in the Fund to decline.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
When-Issued, Delayed Settlement and Forward Commitment Transactions, Including U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes Risk. When-issued, delayed delivery, and forward commitment transactions generally involve the purchase of a security with payment and delivery at some time in the future – i.e., beyond normal settlement. A Fund does not earn interest on such securities until settlement and bears the risk of market value fluctuations in between the purchase and settlement dates. Such transactions include floating rate obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury. Securities with floating or variable interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with fixed interest rates, but may decline in value if their coupon rates do not reset as high, or as quickly, as interest rates in general, and generally carry lower yields than fixed notes of the same maturity.
40 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
Prior to May 1, 2016, the Fund operated as a prime money market fund and invested in certain types of securities that the Fund is no longer permitted to hold to any significant extent (i.e., over 0.5% of total assets). Consequently, the performance information may have been different if the current investment limitations had been in effect during the period prior to the Fund’s conversion to a government money market fund.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information, including current 7-day yield, can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2018 0.46%
Worst

1st Quarter 2010 0.002%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 1.51% 0.39% 0.20%
Class 2 05/03/2010 1.26% 0.29% 0.16%
Class 3 10/13/1981 1.38% 0.34% 0.18%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts
Prospectus 2019 41

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
42 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – High Yield Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.65% 0.65% 0.65%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.11% 0.11% 0.11%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.76% 1.01% 0.89%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.09%) (0.09%) (0.09%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.67% 0.92% 0.80%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.67% for Class 1, 0.92% for Class 2 and 0.795% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $68 $234 $414 $ 934
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $94 $313 $549 $1,228
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $82 $275 $484 $1,088
Prospectus 2019 43

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 39% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in high-yield debt instruments (commonly referred to as “junk” bonds or securities). These high yield debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as floating rate loans rated below investment grade by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including High-Yield Investments Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Confidential Information Access Risk. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of material, non-public information (Confidential Information) about the issuers of floating rate loans (including from the issuer itself) being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information may disadvantage the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal
44 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may include highly leveraged transactions whereby the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Prospectus 2019 45

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
46 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, and the Fund, to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, may need to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. The Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the
Prospectus 2019 47

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 25.06%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -5.71%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -3.86% 3.30% 10.39%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -4.00% 3.04% 10.12%
Class 3 05/01/1996 -4.00% 3.17% 10.26%
ICE BofAML US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -2.26% 3.81% 10.91%
  
48 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Lavin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of U.S. High Yield, Co-Head Global High Yield   Lead Portfolio Manager   2010
Daniel J. DeYoung   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   February 2019
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 49

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Income Opportunities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high total return through current income and capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.66% 0.66% 0.66%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.08% 0.08% 0.08%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.74% 0.99% 0.87%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.07%) (0.07%) (0.07%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.67% 0.92% 0.80%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.67% for Class 1, 0.92% for Class 2 and 0.795% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $68 $230 $405 $ 912
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $94 $308 $540 $1,207
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $82 $271 $475 $1,066
50 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 42% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund’s assets are invested primarily in income-producing debt securities, with an emphasis on the higher rated segment of the high-yield (junk bond) market. These income-producing debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as bank loans. The Fund will purchase only debt instruments rated B or above, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality. If a debt instrument falls below a B rating after investment by the Fund, the Fund may continue to hold the instrument.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including High-Yield Investments Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Confidential Information Access Risk. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of material, non-public information (Confidential Information) about the issuers of floating rate loans (including from the issuer itself) being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information may disadvantage the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal
Prospectus 2019 51

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may include highly leveraged transactions whereby the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
52 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Prospectus 2019 53

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, and the Fund, to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, may need to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. The Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the
54 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 16.68%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -4.66%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -3.75% 3.22% 9.26%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -3.90% 2.98% 9.03%
Class 3 06/01/2004 -3.86% 3.10% 9.16%
ICE BofAML BB-B US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -2.04% 3.87% 9.98%
  
Prospectus 2019 55

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Lavin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of U.S. High Yield, Co-Head Global High Yield   Lead Portfolio Manager   2004
Daniel J. DeYoung   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   February 2019
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
56 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Intermediate Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while attempting to conserve the value of the investment for the longest period of time.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.47% 0.47% 0.47%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.49% 0.74% 0.62%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $50 $157 $274 $616
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $76 $237 $411 $918
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $63 $199 $346 $774
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 222% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. government,
Prospectus 2019 57

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures) and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, and interest rate swaps) for hedging and investment purposes, and to manage credit and interest rate exposure of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
While the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, under normal circumstances, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity will be between three and ten years.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Credit Risk , and Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or
58 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 59

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
60 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.
Prospectus 2019 61

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the
62 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receive differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. The cash flows and yields on IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. A rapid rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of IOs. A slow rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of POs. If prepayments of principal are greater than anticipated, an investor in IOs may incur substantial losses. If prepayments of principal are slower than anticipated, the yield on a PO will be affected more severely than would be the case with a traditional mortgage-backed security.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Prospectus 2019 63

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 5.48%
Worst

2nd Quarter 2013 -2.57%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/03/2010 0.40% 2.92% 4.87%
Class 2 05/03/2010 0.14% 2.64% 4.63%
Class 3 10/13/1981 0.27% 2.78% 4.76%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 3.48%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Jason Callan   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Structured Assets   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Gene Tannuzzo, CFA   Deputy Global Head of Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
64 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 65

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.70% 0.70% 0.70%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.04% 0.04% 0.04%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.74% 0.99% 0.87%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 76 $237 $411 $ 918
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $101 $315 $547 $1,213
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 89 $278 $482 $1,073
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index). These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to
66 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
change. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies that the investment manager believes have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the consumer discretionary sector.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Sector Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Prospectus 2019 67

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the consumer discretionary sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
68 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 17.27%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -17.49%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -3.94% 9.20% 14.25%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -4.14% 8.94% 13.98%
Class 3 09/15/1999 -4.09% 9.06% 14.13%
Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -1.51% 10.40% 15.29%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
John Wilson, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2010
Tchintcia Barros, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2015
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible
Prospectus 2019 69

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
70 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Large Cap Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.20% 0.20% 0.20%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.08% 0.08% 0.08%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.28% 0.53% 0.41%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $29 $ 90 $157 $356
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $54 $170 $296 $665
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $42 $132 $230 $518
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index (the Index).
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity index futures), for cash equitization purposes.
Prospectus 2019 71

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
Different common stocks have different weightings in the Index, depending on the amount of stock outstanding and the stock’s current price. In seeking to match the performance of the Index, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) attempts to allocate the Fund’s assets among common stocks in approximately the same weightings as the Index. This is referred to as a passive or indexing approach to investing.
As a result of the Fund’s indexing approach to investing, the Fund will typically emphasize within the portfolio those economic sectors emphasized by the Index, such as the information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund may buy shares of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Manager, which is currently included in the Index, subject to certain restrictions.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Passive Investment Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Correlation/Tracking Error Risk. The Fund’s value will generally decline when the performance of the Index declines. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. The Fund also bears management and other expenses and transaction costs in trading securities or other instruments, which the Index does not bear. Accordingly, the Fund’s performance will likely fail to match the performance of the Index, after taking expenses into account. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in
72 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not “actively” managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments related to its underlying index. The Fund invests in securities or instruments included in, or believed by the Investment Manager to be representative of, its underlying index, regardless of their investment merits. The Fund does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Prospectus 2019 73

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 15.79%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -13.96%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 04/25/2011 -4.68% 8.13% 12.73%
Class 2 04/25/2011 -4.95% 7.88% 12.51%
Class 3 05/01/2000 -4.81% 8.01% 12.63%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 8.49% 13.12%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Christopher Lo, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Vadim Shteyn   Associate Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2011
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
74 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 75

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.82% 0.82% 0.82%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07% 0.07%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.89% 1.14% 1.02%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.16%) (0.16%) (0.16%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.73% 0.98% 0.86%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.73% for Class 1, 0.98% for Class 2 and 0.855% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 75 $268 $477 $1,081
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $100 $346 $612 $1,372
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 88 $309 $548 $1,233
76 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 150% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) at the time of purchase in the common stocks of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, mid-cap companies are considered to be companies whose market capitalization falls within the market capitalization range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap ® Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254 million and $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund invests typically in common stocks of companies believed to have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth but may invest in companies for their short, medium or long-term prospects. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in special situations, such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Prospectus 2019 77

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and may be less liquid than the securities of larger companies.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of
78 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 26.91%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -24.63%
Prospectus 2019 79

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -4.77% 6.33% 13.31%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -4.98% 6.07% 13.06%
Class 3 05/01/2001 -4.86% 6.20% 13.19%
Russell Midcap Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.75% 7.42% 15.12%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA   Director of Research (U.S.) and Senior Portfolio Manager at Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, an investment advisory affiliate of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2018
Erika K. Maschmeyer, CFA   Senior Domestic Equity Analyst at Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, an investment advisory affiliate of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
John L. Emerson, CFA   Senior Domestic Equity Analyst at Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, an investment advisory affiliate of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
80 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Overseas Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.83% 0.83% 0.83%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.06% 0.06% 0.06%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.89% 1.14% 1.02%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 91 $284 $493 $1,096
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $116 $362 $628 $1,386
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $104 $325 $563 $1,248
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 113% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 81

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities, such as common and preferred stock, or indirectly through mutual funds and closed-end funds, as well as depositary receipts. The Fund may invest in securities of or relating to issuers believed to be undervalued (i.e., “value” stocks), represent growth opportunities (i.e., “growth” stocks), or both. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies.
The Fund may invest in companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers, other corporate restructurings and other special situations. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity futures and index futures) and options (including options on stocks and indices), for both hedging and non-hedging purposes including, for example, for investment purposes to seek to enhance returns or, in certain circumstances, when holding a derivative is deemed preferable to holding the underlying asset. In particular, the Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to hedge the currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund’s securities, to shift investment exposure from one currency to another, to shift U.S. dollar exposure to achieve a representative weighted mix of major currencies in its benchmark, or to adjust an underweight country exposure in its portfolio. The Fund may also invest in equity index futures to manage exposure to the securities market and to maintain equity market exposure while managing cash flows.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Emerging Market Securities Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Closed-End Investment Company Risk. Closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their NAV, which may affect whether the Fund will realize gain or loss upon its sale of the closed-end investment company’s shares. Closed-end investment companies may employ leverage, which also subjects the closed-end investment company to increased risks such as increased volatility.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical
82 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase
Prospectus 2019 83

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This
84 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Investing in Other Funds Risk. The Fund’s investment in other funds (affiliated and/or unaffiliated funds) subjects the Fund to the investment performance (positive or negative) and risks of the underlying funds in direct proportion to the Fund’s investment therein. The performance of the underlying funds could be adversely affected if other investors in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying fund being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the underlying funds could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying funds. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated underlying funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated underlying funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in other underlying funds, including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if an appropriate alternate underlying fund is not identified in a timely manner or at all. The underlying funds may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in underlying funds, may not achieve its investment objective.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Prospectus 2019 85

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
86 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2018 reflects returns achieved pursuant to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Prospectus 2019 87

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 19.41%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -20.53%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -16.63% -0.76% 5.87%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -16.81% -1.02% 5.59%
Class 3 01/13/1992 -16.70% -0.88% 5.75%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes
but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)
  -13.79% 0.53% 6.32%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Fred Copper, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Daisuke Nomoto, CMA (SAAJ)   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
88 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 89

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Select Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.71% 0.71% 0.71%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.73% 0.98% 0.86%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 75 $233 $406 $ 906
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $100 $312 $542 $1,201
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 88 $274 $477 $1,061
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase
90 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
(between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which large market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach.
Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 40 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial
Prospectus 2019 91

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance, as well as another measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 22.65%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -19.21%
92 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -12.22% 6.19% 12.72%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -12.45% 5.93% 12.47%
Class 3 02/04/2004 -12.31% 6.07% 12.60%
Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -8.27% 5.95% 11.18%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 8.49% 13.12%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Richard Rosen   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2008
Richard Taft   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2016
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 93

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.82% 0.82% 0.82%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07% 0.07%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.89% 1.14% 1.02%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.08%) (0.08%) (0.08%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.81% 1.06% 0.94%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.81% for Class 1, 1.06% for Class 2 and 0.935% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 83 $276 $485 $1,089
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $108 $354 $620 $1,379
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 96 $317 $555 $1,241
94 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 98% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies are those whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase fall within the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index) (between $254.0 million and $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund normally invests in common stocks and also may invest in real estate investment trusts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk ,  Issuer Risk Market Risk , and  Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Prospectus 2019 95

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
Investments in mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and may be less liquid than the securities of larger companies.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
96 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 23.27%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -23.02%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -13.29% 3.71% 12.01%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -13.51% 3.48% 11.77%
Class 3 05/02/2005 -13.40% 3.60% 11.90%
Russell Midcap Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -12.29% 5.44% 13.03%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Kari Montanus   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2018
David Hoffman   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2013
Jonas Patrikson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2014
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Prospectus 2019 97

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
98 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Select Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.87% 0.87% 0.87%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses (a) 0.18% 0.18% 0.18%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 1.05% 1.30% 1.18%
(a) Other expenses have been restated to reflect current fees paid by the Fund.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $107 $334 $579 $1,283
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $132 $412 $713 $1,568
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $120 $375 $649 $1,432
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 13% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 2000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase
Prospectus 2019 99

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
(between $24.6 million and $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which smaller market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts.
The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 40 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and securities of small-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
100 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Prospectus 2019 101

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 31.51%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -24.59%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -12.59% 2.83% 12.59%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -12.82% 2.58% 12.34%
Class 3 09/15/1999 -12.70% 2.72% 12.48%
Russell 2000 Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -12.86% 3.61% 10.40%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Kari Montanus   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
David Hoffman   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
Jonas Patrikson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
102 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 103

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, preservation of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.43% 0.43% 0.43%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.46% 0.71% 0.59%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $47 $148 $258 $579
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $73 $227 $395 $883
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $60 $189 $329 $738
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 286% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in mortgage-related securities. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in mortgage-related securities that either are issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities. This includes, but is not limited to, Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae) mortgage-backed bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
104 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
Government; and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac) mortgage-backed bonds. FNMA and FHLMC are chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress; however, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures) to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt
Prospectus 2019 105

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund
106 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
Prospectus 2019 107

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
108 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receive differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. The cash flows and yields on IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. A rapid rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of IOs. A slow rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of POs. If prepayments of principal are greater than anticipated, an investor in IOs may incur substantial losses. If prepayments of principal are slower than anticipated, the yield on a PO will be affected more severely than would be the case with a traditional mortgage-backed security.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2013 reflects returns achieved pursuant to a different investment objective and different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current investment objective and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Prospectus 2019 109

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2018 2.40%
Worst

2nd Quarter 2013 -2.06%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 1.85% 3.02% 2.50%
Class 2 05/03/2010 1.60% 2.75% 2.25%
Class 3 09/15/1999 1.72% 2.89% 2.39%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.99% 2.53% 3.11%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Jason Callan   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Structured Assets   Co-Portfolio Manager   2012
Tom Heuer, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2012
Ryan Osborn, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   February 2019
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
110 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 111

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return that exceeds the rate of inflation over the long term.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.51% 0.51% 0.51%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.19% 0.19% 0.19%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.70% 0.95% 0.83%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.10%) (0.10%) (0.10%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.60% 0.85% 0.73%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.60% for Class 1, 0.85% for Class 2 and 0.725% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $61 $214 $380 $ 861
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $87 $293 $516 $1,157
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $75 $255 $451 $1,016
112 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 118% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in inflation-protected debt securities. These securities include inflation-indexed bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Government and non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, and U.S. and non-U.S. corporations. The Fund invests only in securities rated investment grade at the time of purchase by a third-party rating agency or, if unrated, deemed by the management team to be of comparable quality. Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in sectors outside the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked Bond Index USD Hedged (the Index). The Fund seeks to maintain an average duration that is within a range of plus or minus 20% of the duration of the Index.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including Europe.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate, other bond, and index futures), options (including options on futures and indices) and swaps (including interest rate swaps and inflation rate swaps). The Fund may enter into derivatives for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes, to increase flexibility, to produce incremental earnings, and to manage duration, yield curve and interest rate exposure. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
The management team may hedge any portion of the non-U.S. dollar denominated securities in the Fund to the U.S. dollar.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Inflation-Protected Securities Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Prospectus 2019 113

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain
114 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Prospectus 2019 115

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
116 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Prospectus 2019 117

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to October 2012 reflects returns achieved by the Investment Manager according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
118 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2016 4.03%
Worst

2nd Quarter 2013 -5.80%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -0.33% 3.56% 3.88%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -0.71% 3.30% 3.64%
Class 3 09/13/2004 -0.51% 3.44% 3.76%
Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked Bond Index USD Hedged (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.10% 4.21% 4.57%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BlackRock)
Sub-Subadviser: BlackRock International Limited (BIL)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Christopher Allen, CFA   Managing Director of BIL   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Akiva Dickstein   Managing Director of BlackRock   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Prospectus 2019 119

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
120 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.70% 0.70% 0.70%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.70% 0.95% 0.83%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.01%) (0.01%) (0.01%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.69% 0.94% 0.82%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.69% for Class 1, 0.94% for Class 2 and 0.815% for Class 3.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $70 $223 $389 $ 870
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $96 $302 $525 $1,165
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $84 $264 $460 $1,024
Prospectus 2019 121

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 55% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities. Equity securities include, for example, common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that are believed to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other companies (growth companies), in companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies), or in a combination of growth and value companies. Although the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily invests in companies with capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of the Fund’s investment.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The subadviser uses fundamental analysis and quantitative models in buying and selling investments for the Fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social,
122 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Investment Strategy Risk. There is no assurance that the Fund’s predicted tracking error will equal its target predicted tracking error at any point in time or consistently for any period of time, or that the Fund’s predicted tracking error and actual tracking error will be similar. The Fund's strategy to target a predicted tracking error of approximately 2% compared to an index that represents the Fund’s investment universe and to blend fundamental and quantitative research may not produce the intended results. In addition, fundamental research may not be available for all issuers.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Prospectus 2019 123

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance
124 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2016 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadviser(s) that managed the Fund according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 20.49%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -15.48%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -8.01% 6.49% 10.70%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -8.20% 6.22% 10.48%
Class 3 05/01/2006 -8.08% 6.36% 10.58%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 8.49% 13.12%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Matt Krummell, CFA   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Jim Fallon   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Jonathan Sage, CFA   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Jed Stocks, CFA   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Prospectus 2019 125

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
126 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.76% 0.76% 0.76%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.79% 1.04% 0.92%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 81 $252 $439 $ 978
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $106 $331 $574 $1,271
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 94 $293 $509 $1,131
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 36% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, the Fund considers mid-cap companies to be those whose market capitalization falls within the range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $254.0 million to $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are
Prospectus 2019 127

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
subject to change. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts. As a result of the bottom-up stock selection process, Victory Capital Management Inc. from time to time may find more compelling investment opportunities in certain economic sectors, such as the financial services sector.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Value Securities Risk , and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and may be less liquid than the securities of larger companies.
128 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Prospectus 2019 129

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to November 2012 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadviser had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 19.46%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -20.17%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -9.97% 7.22% 13.43%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -10.20% 6.95% 13.17%
Class 3 02/04/2004 -10.10% 7.09% 13.31%
Russell Midcap Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -12.29% 5.44% 13.03%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Victory Capital Management Inc. (Victory Capital)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Gary Miller   Chief Investment Officer of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Lead Portfolio Manager   2012
Jeffrey Graff, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
Gregory Conners   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
James Albers, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
130 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Michael Rodarte, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 131

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio (VP) – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Management fees 0.85% 0.85% 0.85%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.13%
Other expenses 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.88% 1.13% 1.01%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 90 $281 $488 $1,084
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $115 $359 $622 $1,375
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $103 $322 $558 $1,236
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 60% of the average value of its portfolio.
132 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in small cap companies. For these purposes, small cap companies are those that have a market capitalization, at the time of investment, that falls within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Value Index (the Index) or up to $2.5 billion, whichever is greater. The Fund may buy and hold stock in a company that is not included in the Index. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $24.6 million to $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in any type of security, including common stocks and depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Each of the subadvisers employs an active investment strategy that focuses on small cap companies in an attempt to take advantage of what are believed to be undervalued securities. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by
Prospectus 2019 133

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and securities of small-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
134 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 3 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the table below begins before the indicated inception date for such share class. The returns shown for each such share class include the returns of the Fund’s Class 3 shares (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such share classes, where applicable) for periods prior to its inception date. Share classes with expenses that are higher than Class 3 shares will have performance that is lower than Class 3 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2017 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadvisers had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 22.43%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -20.11%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/03/2010 -13.46% 1.56% 10.44%
Class 2 05/03/2010 -13.72% 1.31% 10.18%
Class 3 08/14/2001 -13.60% 1.44% 10.31%
Russell 2000 Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -12.86% 3.61% 10.40%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. (Jacobs Levy)
    
Prospectus 2019 135

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Bruce Jacobs, Ph.D.   Co-Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager and Co-Director of Research of Jacobs Levy   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Kenneth Levy, CFA   Co-Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager and Co-Director of Research of Jacobs Levy   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Subadviser: Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (Nuveen Asset Management)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Karen L. Bowie, CFA   Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Nuveen Asset Management   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Subadviser: Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC (SBH – Small Cap Value Dividend Strategy)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Derek Anguilm, CFA   Principal, Director of Dividend Value Strategies of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2007
Mark Adelmann, CFA, CPA   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2007
Lisa Ramirez, CFA   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2007
Alex Ruehle, CFA   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Subadviser: Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC (SBH – Small Cap Value Strategy)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Mark Dickherber, CFA, CPA   Principal, Director of Small Cap Strategies of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Shaun Nicholson   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
136 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 137

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (the Fund) seeks maximum total investment return through a combination of capital growth and current income. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in a mix of equity and debt securities. The Fund’s assets are allocated among equity and debt securities (which includes cash and cash equivalents) based on an assessment of the relative risks and returns of each asset class. The Fund generally will invest between 35% and 65% of its net assets in each asset class, and in any event will invest at least 25% and no more than 75% of its net assets in each asset class under normal circumstances.
With respect to its equity securities investments, which may include among other types of equity securities, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, the Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies that, at the time of purchase, have large market capitalizations (generally over $5 billion).
With respect to its debt securities investments, the Fund invests primarily in securities that, at the time of purchase, are rated investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality. These securities include debt securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, debt securities issued by corporations, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and other debt securities with intermediate- to long-term maturities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures). The Fund may invest in derivatives for both hedging and non-hedging (investment) purposes, including, for example, to seek to enhance returns or as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset, as well as to manage duration, yield curve and/or interest rate exposure.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s assets are allocated among equity and debt securities (which includes cash and cash equivalents) based on an assessment of the relative risks and returns of each asset class.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, (the Investment Manager) evaluates the relative attractiveness of each potential investment in constructing the Fund’s portfolio by considering a wide variety of factors, techniques and strategies, which for equity investments may include, among other criteria, fundamental and risk analysis, and economic and market data, conditions and expectations, and for debt investments may include, among other criteria, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the various features of the debt instrument, such as its interest rate, yield, maturity and call features, value relative to other investments, local, national and global economic and market conditions, interest rate movements and other relevant factors in allocating the Fund’s assets among issuers, securities, industry sectors and maturities.
The Investment Manager may sell a security: when the Fund’s asset allocation changes; when the security’s price reaches a target set by the Investment Manager; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects, or that other investments are more attractive; if the security is believed to be overvalued relative to other potential investments; when the company no longer meets the Investment Manager’s performance expectation; if there is deterioration in a debt instrument’s credit rating; or for other reasons.
138 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Issuer Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks
Prospectus 2019 139

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the
140 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund
Prospectus 2019 141

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment,
142 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market
Prospectus 2019 143

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
144 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Guy Pope, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Contrarian Core Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2011
Jason Callan   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Structured Assets   Portfolio Manager   2018
Gregory Liechty   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2011
Ronald Stahl, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Short Duration and Stable Value Team   Portfolio Manager   2011
Mr. Pope joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1993. Mr. Pope began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.A. from Colorado College and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.
Mr. Callan joined the Investment Manager in 2007. Mr. Callan began his investment career in 2004 and earned a B.S. from the University of Minnesota and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
Mr. Liechty joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2005. Mr. Liechty began his investment career in 1995 and earned a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of North Florida.
Mr. Stahl joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1998. Mr. Stahl began his investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. from Oregon State University and an M.B.A. from Portland State University.
Prospectus 2019 145

 

Table of Contents
More Information About Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations greater than $5 billion at the time of purchase or that are within the market capitalization range of companies in the S&P 500 Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stocks. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity futures and index futures) for cash equitization purposes.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers employ a process that applies fundamental investment concepts in a systematic framework seeking to identify and exploit mispriced stocks. The Fund benefits from collaboration between quantitative and fundamental research to create sector and industry-specific multi-factor stock selection models, which are utilized by the portfolio managers when constructing a diversified portfolio.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers a variety of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio which may include, among others, the following:
Valuation factors, such as earnings and cash flow relative to market values;
Catalyst factors, such as relative stock price performance, business momentum, and short interest measures; and
Quality factors, such as quality of earnings and financial strength.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when it believes other stocks in the Index or other investments are more attractive, if the security is believed to be overvalued relative to other potential investments, when the company no longer meets the Investment Manager’s performance expectation, when the security is removed from the Index, or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Quantitative Model Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
146

 

Table of Contents
More Information About Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (continued)
Active Management Risk. While security selection is driven by fundamental concepts, a quantitative process is used to construct the portfolio. Additionally, a qualitative review of the quantitative output is conducted by the portfolio managers. Therefore, the Fund’s performance will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make active, qualitative decisions, including allocation decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such
147

 

Table of Contents
More Information About Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (continued)
contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market
148

 

Table of Contents
More Information About Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund (continued)
events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Condon, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Strategies   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Peter Albanese   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Mr. Condon joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1999. Mr. Condon began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.A. from Bryant University and an M.S. in finance from Bentley University.
Mr. Albanese joined the Investment Manager in August 2014. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Albanese was a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at Robeco Investment Management. Mr. Albanese began his investment career in 1991 and earned a B.S. from Stony Brook University and an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
149

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Dividend
Opportunity Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income and, as a secondary objective, steady growth of capital. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in equity securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks. The selection of dividend-paying stocks is the primary decision in building the investment portfolio. The Fund invests principally in securities of companies believed to be attractively valued and to have the potential for long-term growth. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as structured investments (including equity-linked notes), for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes and to increase investment flexibility.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objectives, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) chooses investments by applying quantitative screens to determine yield potential. The Investment Manager conducts fundamental research on securities and seeks to purchase potentially attractive securities based on its analysis of various factors, which may include one or more of the following, as well as other, statistical measures:
Current yield;
Dividend growth capability (considering a company’s financial statements and management’s ability to increase the dividend if it chooses to do so) and dividend history;
Balance sheet strength;
Earnings per share and free cash flow sustainability; and/or
Dividend payout ratio.
Preference is generally given to higher dividend-paying companies. The Investment Manager also considers top-down or macroeconomic factors. The Fund typically uses the S&P 500 Index for dividend yield comparison purposes.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when the security’s price reaches a target set by the Investment Manager; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects; if other investments are more attractive; or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
150 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Dividend
Opportunity Fund (continued)
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be
Prospectus 2019 151

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Dividend
Opportunity Fund (continued)
influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments typically provide interest income, thereby offering a potential yield advantage over investing directly in an underlying reference. Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. In some cases, depending on its terms, a structured investment may provide that principal and/or interest payments may be adjusted below zero resulting in a potential loss of principal and/or interest payments. Additionally, the particular terms of a structured investment may create economic leverage by requiring payment by the issuer of an amount that is a multiple of the price change of the underlying reference. Economic leverage will increase the volatility of structured investment prices, and could result in increased losses for the Fund. The Fund’s use of structured instruments may not work as intended. If structured investments are used to reduce the duration of the Fund’s portfolio, this may limit the Fund’s return when having a longer duration would be beneficial (for instance, when interest rates decline). Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An equity-linked note (ELN) is a derivative (structured investment) that has principal and/or interest payments based on the value of a single equity security, a basket of equity securities or an index of equity securities, and generally has risks similar to these underlying equity securities. An ELN typically provides interest income, thereby offering a yield advantage over investing directly in an underlying equity. The Fund may purchase ELNs that trade on a securities exchange or those that trade on the over-the-counter markets, as well as in privately negotiated transactions with the issuer of the ELN. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. The liquidity of unlisted ELNs is normally determined by the willingness of the issuer to make a market in the ELN. While the Fund will seek to purchase ELNs only from issuers that it believes to be willing and able to repurchase the ELN at a reasonable price, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell at such a price. Furthermore, such inability to sell may impair the Fund’s ability to enter into other transactions at a time when doing so might be advantageous. The Fund’s investments in ELNs have the potential to lead to significant losses, including the amount the Fund invested in the ELN, because ELNs are subject to the market and volatility risks associated with their underlying equity. In addition, because ELNs often take the form of unsecured notes of the issuer, the Fund would be subject to the risk that the issuer may default on its obligations under the ELN, thereby subjecting the Fund to the further risk of being too concentrated in the securities (including ELNs) of that issuer. However, the Fund typically considers ELNs alongside other securities of the issuer in its assessment of issuer concentration risk. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities. The Fund may or may not hold an ELN until its maturity.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic
152 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Dividend
Opportunity Fund (continued)
and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Prospectus 2019 153

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Dividend
Opportunity Fund (continued)
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
David King, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2018
Yan Jin   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
Mr. King joined the Investment Manager in 2010. Mr. King began his investment career in 1983 and earned a B.S. from the University of New Hampshire and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Jin joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2002. Mr. Jin began his investment career in 1998 and earned a M.A. in economics from North Carolina State University.
154 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities (including, but not limited to, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks) of companies located in emerging market countries. The Fund may also gain exposure to such companies through investment in depositary receipts. Depository receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Emerging market countries include those countries whose economies are considered to be developing or emerging from underdevelopment.
The Fund may invest in a variety of countries, industries and sectors and does not attempt to invest a specific percentage of its assets in any given country, industry or sector. However, the Fund has invested substantially in the financial services sector and information technology and technology-related sectors and may continue to invest substantially in these or other sectors in the future. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
The Fund may invest in special situations, such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies.
The Fund may invest in securities that the investment manager believes are undervalued, represent growth opportunities, or both.
The investment manager employs fundamental analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio.
In selecting investments, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers, among other factors:
various measures of valuation, including price-to-cash flow, price-to-earnings, price-to-sales, price-to-book value and discounted cash flow. The Investment Manager believes that companies with lower valuations are generally more likely to provide opportunities for capital appreciation;
potential indicators of stock price appreciation, such as anticipated earnings growth, company restructuring, changes in management, business model changes, new product opportunities, or anticipated improvements in macroeconomic factors;
the financial condition and management of a company, including its competitive position, the quality of its balance sheet and earnings, its future prospects, and the potential for growth and stock price appreciation; and/or
overall economic and market conditions.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when the security’s price reaches a target set by the Investment Manager; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects; if other investments are more attractive; or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Prospectus 2019 155

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Emerging Market Securities Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and
156 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. A number of countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact that country, other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified in a region with more developed countries and economies. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Continued growth of economies and securities markets in the region will require sustained economic and fiscal discipline, as well as continued commitment to governmental and regulatory reforms. Development also may be influenced by international economic conditions, including those in
Prospectus 2019 157

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
the United States and Japan, and by world demand for goods or natural resources produced in countries in the Asia Pacific region. Securities markets in the region are generally smaller and have a lower trading volume than those in the United States, which may result in the securities of some companies in the region being less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities. Some currencies, inflation rates or interest rates in the Asia Pacific region are or can be volatile, and some countries in the region may restrict the flow of money in and out of the country. The risks described under “Emerging Market Securities Risk” and  “Foreign Securities Risk” may be more pronounced due to the Fund’s focus on investments in the region.
Greater China. The Greater China region consists of Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China and Taiwan, among other countries, and the Fund's investments in the region are particularly susceptible to risks in that region. Adverse events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries in the region or Asia as a whole. As a result, adverse events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified, which could result in greater volatility in the Fund’s NAV and losses. Markets in the Greater China region can experience significant volatility due to social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or
158 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector and the information technology sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Prospectus 2019 159

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Initial public offerings are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. To the extent the Fund determines to invest in initial public offerings, it may not be able to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an initial public offering are available to the Fund. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in initial public offerings may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Dara White, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2012
Robert Cameron   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2012
Jasmine (Weili) Huang*, CFA, CPA
(U.S. and China), CFM
  Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2012
Young Kim   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2015
Perry Vickery, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2017
* Ms. Huang is on a medical leave of absence and a timetable for her return is not set.
Mr. White joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2006. Mr. White began his investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. in Finance and a B.S. in Marketing from Boston College.
Mr. Cameron joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2008. He was a portfolio manager and managing member of Cameron Global Investments LLC during the period 2003 to 2008. Mr. Cameron began his investment career in 1983 and earned a B.A. from the University of Toronto.
Ms. Huang joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Ms. Huang began her investment career in 1995 and earned a B.A. from Shenzhen University and an M.B.A. from Willamette University.
160 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
Mr. Kim joined the Investment Manager in 2011. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Kim served as a senior equity analyst at Marathon Asset Management and Galleon Asia Management and worked in various operating and engineering roles in the technology industry. Mr. Kim began his investment career in 2005 and earned a B.S. and M.S. in engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Vickery joined the Investment Manager in 2010. Mr. Vickery began his investment career in 2006 and earned a B.B.A. at the University of Georgia and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Prospectus 2019 161

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through income and growth of capital. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in debt obligations of issuers located in at least three different countries (which may include the U.S.). Debt obligations include debt securities and instruments, including money market instruments, either issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by (i) the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, (ii) non-U.S. governments, their agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, or (iii) corporate or other non-governmental entities. The Fund may invest in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest significantly in below investment-grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”) in seeking to achieve higher dividends and/or capital appreciation.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. A bond is issued with a specific maturity date, which is the date when the issuer must pay back the bond’s principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond’s maturity, the more price risk the Fund and the Fund’s investors face as interest rates rise, but the Fund could receive a higher yield in return for that longer maturity and higher interest rate risk.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas and may invest in issuers in emerging markets. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
In addition, in pursuing its objective, the Fund, employing both fundamental and quantitative analyses, may enter into various currency-, interest rate- and credit-related transactions involving derivatives instruments. The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures contracts (including currency, index, interest rate, and other bond futures), and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, inflation rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and total return swaps). The use of these derivative instruments allows the Fund to obtain net long or net negative (short) exposure to selected currencies, interest rates, credit risks and duration risks. The Fund may use these derivatives as well as “to be announced” (TBA) mortgage-backed securities in an effort to leverage exposures and produce incremental earnings, for hedging purposes, to obtain increased or decreased exposures to various markets/sectors or to increase investment flexibility. Actual long and short exposures will vary over time based on factors such as market movements, assessments of market conditions, macroeconomic analysis and qualitative valuation analysis.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) evaluates a number of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio. The Investment Manager also considers local, national and global economic conditions, market conditions, interest rate movements and other relevant factors in allocating the Fund’s assets among issuers, securities, industry sectors and maturities.
162 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
The Investment Manager, in connection with selecting individual investments for the Fund, evaluates a security based on its potential to generate income and/or capital appreciation. The Investment Manager considers, among other factors, the creditworthiness of the issuer of the security and the various features of the security, such as its interest rate, duration, yield, maturity, any call features and value relative to other securities.
The Investment Manager may sell a security if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances, or that other investments are more attractive; if there is deterioration in a security’s credit rating; or for other reasons.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , High-Yield Investments Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt
Prospectus 2019 163

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign
164 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
  market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). The effectiveness of any currency strategy by a Fund may be reduced by the Fund's inability to precisely match forward contract amounts and the value of securities involved. Forward foreign currency contracts used for hedging may also limit any potential gain that might result from an increase or decrease in the value of the currency. Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A bond (or debt instrument) future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a bond or other debt instrument, a basket of bonds or other debt instrument, or the bonds or other debt instruments in an index on a specified date at a predetermined price. The buyer (long position) of a bond future is obliged to buy the underlying reference at the agreed price on expiry of the future.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to
Prospectus 2019 165

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
An inflation rate swap is a derivative typically used to transfer inflation risk from one party to another through an exchange of cash flows. In an inflation rate swap, one party pays a fixed rate on a notional principal amount, while the other party pays a floating rate linked to an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
An interest rate swap is a derivative in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows, based on a specified notional amount from a fixed rate to a floating rate (or vice versa) or from one floating rate to another. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
Total return swaps are derivative swap transactions in which one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return of a defined underlying reference during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return of a different underlying reference.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in
166 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa. Restrictions on currency trading may be imposed by foreign countries, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Even though the currencies of some countries may be pegged to the U.S. dollar, the conversion rate may be controlled by government regulation or intervention at levels significantly different than what would normally prevail in a free market. Significant revaluations of the U.S. dollar exchange rate of these currencies could cause substantial reductions in the Fund’s NAV.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Prospectus 2019 167

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, short sales, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Because short sales involve borrowing securities and then selling them, the Fund’s short sales effectively leverage the Fund’s assets. The Fund's assets that are used as collateral to secure the Fund's obligations to return the securities sold short may decrease in value while the short positions are
168 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
outstanding, which may force the Fund to use its other assets to increase the collateral. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the
Prospectus 2019 169

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements
170 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Short Positions Risk. The Fund may establish short positions which introduce more risk to the Fund than long positions (where the Fund owns the instrument or other asset) because the maximum sustainable loss on an instrument or other asset purchased (held long) is limited to the amount paid for the instrument or other asset plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum price of the shorted instrument or other asset when purchased in the open market. Therefore, in theory, short positions have unlimited risk. The Fund’s use of short positions in effect “leverages” the Fund. Leverage potentially exposes the Fund to greater risks of loss due to unanticipated market movements, which may magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns. To the extent the Fund takes a short position in a derivative instrument or other asset, this involves the risk of a potentially unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument or other asset.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debtholders. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Prospectus 2019 171

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager and its investment advisory affiliates (Participating Affiliates) around the world may coordinate in providing services to their clients. From time to time, the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Fund, as the case may be) may engage its Participating Affiliates to provide a variety of services such as investment research, investment monitoring, trading, and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management) to certain accounts managed by the Investment Manager, including the Fund. These Participating Affiliates will provide services to the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Fund, as the case may be) either pursuant to subadvisory agreements, personnel-sharing agreements or similar inter-company arrangements and the Fund will pay no additional fees and expenses as a result of any such arrangements. These Participating Affiliates, like the Investment Manager, are direct or indirect subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial and are registered with the appropriate respective regulators in their home jurisdictions and, where required, the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the United States.
Pursuant to some of these arrangements, certain employees of these Participating Affiliates may serve as “associated persons” of the Investment Manager and, in this capacity, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Investment Manager and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, may provide such services to the Fund on behalf of the Investment Manager.
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Gene Tannuzzo, CFA   Deputy Global Head of Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Tim Jagger   Head of Emerging Market Debt and Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   November 2018
Ryan Staszewski, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   November 2018
Mr. Tannuzzo joined the Investment Manager in 2003. Mr. Tannuzzo began his investment career in 2003 and earned a B.S.B. and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.
Mr. Jagger joined Threadneedle, a Participating Affiliate, in 2017 as a Director in Threadneedle's Singapore office and was elevated to his current role as Head of Emerging Market Debt in Threadneedle's London office in 2018. Prior to joining Threadneedle, Mr. Jagger was a Senior Portfolio Manager, Asian Credit, and the lead manager for Asian High Yield funds at Aviva Investors from 2012 through 2016. Mr. Jagger began his investment career in 1992 and earned a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland).
Mr. Staszewski joined Threadneedle, a Participating Affiliate, in 2012 as an investment grade credit analyst and was elevated to his current role as Senior Portfolio Manager in 2015. Mr. Staszewski began his investment career in 2002 and earned a Bachelor of commerce degree in economics and finance from Curtin University, Western Australia.
172 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in government securities, cash and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash. For purposes of this policy, “government securities” are any securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the United States, or by a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the Government of the United States pursuant to authority granted by the Congress of the United States, or any certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing.
The Fund typically invests in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and other obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements secured by such obligations. The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate instruments, and may transact in securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (including U.S. Treasury floating rate notes). The Fund invests in a portfolio of securities maturing in 397 days or less (as maturity is calculated by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules governing the operation of money market funds) that will have a dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less and a dollar-weighted average life of 120 days or less.
The securities purchased by the Fund are subject to the quality, diversification, and other requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and other rules of the SEC. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in government securities and/or repurchase securities that are collateralized by government securities. The Fund will only purchase government securities, cash, repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash, and up to 0.5% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in other securities that present minimal credit risk as determined by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the Investment Manager), pursuant to guidelines approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the Fund will not be subject to liquidity fees and redemption gates at this time.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the Investment Manager observes the macro environment to set a framework for portfolio construction, including looking for positive and negative trends in the economy and market. In evaluating whether to purchase a security, the Investment Manager:
Considers opportunities and risks given current interest rates and anticipated interest rates.
Purchases securities based on the timing of cash flows in and out of the Fund.
Considers the impact of the purchase on the Fund’s average maturity and duration.
Considers a security’s yield, relative value and credit characteristics.
In evaluating whether to sell a security, the Investment Manager considers, among other factors, whether in its view:
The issuer’s fundamentals are deteriorating.
Political, economic, or other events could affect the issuer’s performance.
The Investment Manager believes that it has identified a more attractive opportunity.
The issuer or the security no longer meets the security selection criteria described above.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Prospectus 2019 173

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Money Market Fund Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the net asset value (NAV) of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of a security or instrument in the Fund’s portfolio may or will decline in price if the issuer fails to pay interest or repay principal when due. The value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer of the instrument defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or general economic conditions. Debt instruments backed by an issuer's taxing authority may be subject to legal limits on the issuer's power to increase taxes or otherwise to raise revenue, or may be dependent on legislative appropriation or government aid. Certain debt instruments are backed only by revenues derived from a particular project or source, rather than by an issuer's taxing authority, and thus may have a greater risk of default. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. If the Fund purchases unrated debt instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. The Fund’s yield will vary; it is not fixed for a specific period like the yield on a bank certificate of deposit. Under certain circumstances, the yield decline could cause the Fund’s net yield to be negative (such as when Fund expenses exceed income levels). Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund
174 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Risk. Although government money market funds (such as the Fund) may seek to preserve the value of shareholders’ investment at $1.00 per share, the NAVs of such money market fund shares can fall, and in infrequent cases in the past have fallen, below $1.00 per share, potentially causing shareholders who redeem their shares at such NAVs to lose money from their original investment.
At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund and cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. Additionally, in some cases, the default of a single portfolio security could cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
It is possible that, during periods of low prevailing interest rates or otherwise, the income from portfolio securities may be less than the amount needed to pay ongoing Fund operating expenses and may prevent payment of any dividends or distributions to Fund shareholders or cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In such cases, the Fund may reduce or eliminate the payment of such dividends or distributions or seek to reduce certain of its operating expenses. There is no guarantee that such actions would enable the Fund to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share.
Reinvestment  Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Repurchase Agreements  Risk. Repurchase agreements are agreements in which the seller of a security to the Fund agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Repurchase agreements carry the risk that the counterparty may not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. This could cause the Fund's income and the value of your investment in the Fund to decline.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
When-Issued, Delayed Settlement and Forward Commitment Transactions, Including U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes Risk. When-issued, delayed delivery, and forward commitment transactions generally involve the purchase of a security with payment and delivery at some time in the future – i.e., beyond normal settlement. A Fund does not earn interest on such securities until settlement and bears the risk of market value fluctuations in between the purchase and settlement dates. Such transactions include floating rate obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury. Securities with floating or variable interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with fixed interest rates, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. A decline in interest rates may result in a reduction in income received from floating rate securities held by the Fund and may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s shares. Generally, floating rate securities carry lower yields than fixed notes of the
Prospectus 2019 175

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
same maturity. The interest rate for a floating rate note resets or adjusts periodically by reference to a benchmark interest rate. The impact of interest rate changes on floating rate investments is typically mitigated by the periodic interest rate reset of the investments. Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. The supply of floating rate notes issued by the U.S. Treasury will be limited. There is no guarantee or assurance that: the Fund will be able to invest in a desired amount of floating rate notes or be able to buy floating rate notes at a desirable price; floating rate notes will continue to be issued by the U.S. Treasury; or floating rate notes will be actively traded. Any or all of the foregoing, should they occur, would negatively impact the Fund.
176 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, capital growth. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in high-yield debt instruments (commonly referred to as “junk” bonds or securities). These high yield debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as floating rate loans rated below investment grade by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities. Floating rate loans, which are another form of financing, are typically secured, with interest rates that adjust or “float” periodically (normally on a daily, monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis by reference to a base lending rate, such as London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR), plus a premium). Secured debt instruments are ordinarily secured by specific collateral or assets of the issuer or borrower such that holders of these instruments will have claims senior to the claims of other parties who hold unsecured instruments.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. A bond is issued with a specific maturity date, which is the date when the issuer must pay back the bond’s principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond’s maturity, the more price risk the Fund and the Fund’s investors face as interest rates rise, but the Fund could receive a higher yield in return for that longer maturity and higher interest rate risk. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) chooses investments by:
Rigorous, in-house credit research using a proprietary risk and relative value rating system with the goal of generating strong risk-adjusted returns;
A process focused on seeking to identify issuers with improving credit quality characterized by several factors including:
stable and strengthening cash flows,
the ability to de-leverage through free cash flow,
asset valuations supporting debt,
strong management,
strong and sustainable market positioning, and/or
access to capital;
A top down assessment of broad economic and market conditions to determine quality and industry weightings;
Review of the legal documentation supporting the loan, including an analysis of the covenants and the rights and remedies of the lender.
Prospectus 2019 177

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
In evaluating whether to sell an investment, considerations by the Investment Manager include but are not limited to:
Deterioration in the issuer’s results relative to analyst expectations,
Inability of the issuer to de-leverage,
Reduced asset coverage for the issuer,
Deterioration in the issuer’s competitive position,
Reduced access to capital for the issuer,
Changes in the issuer’s management,
Whether the Investment Manager’s price target for the security has been achieved, and/or
The investment’s potential upside/downside compared to other investments or investment opportunities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including High-Yield Investments Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Confidential Information Access Risk. In many instances, issuers of floating rate loans offer to furnish material, non-public information (Confidential Information) to prospective purchasers or holders of the issuer’s floating rate loans to help potential investors assess the value of the loan. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of Confidential Information about the issuers of floating rate loans being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information from these issuers may disadvantage the Fund as compared to other floating rate loan investors, and may adversely affect the price the Fund pays for the loans it purchases, or the price at which the Fund sells the loans. Further, in situations when holders of floating rate loans are asked, for example, to grant consents, waivers or amendments, the ability to assess the desirability thereof may be compromised. For these and other reasons, it is possible that the decision not to receive Confidential Information could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or
178 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be
Prospectus 2019 179

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may consist of transactions involving refinancings, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions and other financings for general corporate purposes. The Fund’s investments also may include senior obligations of a borrower issued in connection with a restructuring pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (commonly known as “debtor-in-possession” financings), provided that such senior obligations are determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be a suitable investment for the Fund. In such highly leveraged transactions, the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Such business objectives may include but are not limited to: management’s taking over control of a company (leveraged buy-out); reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a company (leveraged recapitalization); or acquiring another company. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to
180 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). This exposes the Fund to the risk that the receipt of principal and interest payments may be late due to delayed interest settlement. Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming
Prospectus 2019 181

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if the Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, including the Fund. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders. The remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it. From time to time, disagreements may arise amongst the holders of loans and debt in the capital structure of an issuer, which may give rise to litigation risks, including the risk that a court could take action adverse to the holders of the loan, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee. As an assignee, the Fund will usually succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. Alternatively, the Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and the Fund normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, the Fund would also be subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest would not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund. It may also be difficult for the Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in
182 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Lavin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of U.S. High Yield, Co-Head Global High Yield   Lead Portfolio Manager   2010
Daniel J. DeYoung   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   February 2019
Mr. Lavin joined the Investment Manager in 1994. Mr. Lavin began his investment career in 1986 and earned an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Mr. DeYoung joined the Investment Manager in 2013. Mr. DeYoung began his investment career in 2005 and earned a B.S. from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
Prospectus 2019 183

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high total return through current income and capital appreciation. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund’s assets are invested primarily in income-producing debt securities, with an emphasis on the higher rated segment of the high-yield (junk bond) market. These income-producing debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as bank loans. The Fund will purchase only debt instruments rated B or above, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality. If a debt instrument falls below a B rating after investment by the Fund, the Fund may continue to hold the instrument.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities. Floating rate loans, which are another form of financing, are typically secured, with interest rates that adjust or “float” periodically (normally on a daily, monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis by reference to a base lending rate, such as London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR), plus a premium). Secured debt instruments are ordinarily secured by specific collateral or assets of the issuer or borrower such that holders of these instruments will have claims senior to the claims of other parties who hold unsecured instruments.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. A bond is issued with a specific maturity date, which is the date when the issuer must pay back the bond’s principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond’s maturity, the more price risk the Fund and the Fund’s investors face as interest rates rise, but the Fund could receive a higher yield in return for that longer maturity and higher interest rate risk. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) chooses investments using:
Rigorous, in-house credit research using a proprietary risk and relative value rating system with the goal of generating strong risk-adjusted returns;
A process focused on seeking to identify issuers with improving credit quality characterized by several factors including:
stable and strengthening cash flows,
the ability to de-leverage through free cash flow,
asset valuations supporting debt,
strong management,
strong and sustainable market positioning, and/or
access to capital;
A top down assessment of broad economic and market conditions to determine quality and industry weightings;
Review of the legal documentation supporting the loan, including an analysis of the covenants and the rights and remedies of the lender.
184 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
In evaluating whether to sell a security, the Investment Manager considers, among other factors:
Deterioration in the issuer’s results relative to analyst expectations,
Inability of the issuer to de-leverage,
Reduced asset coverage for the issuer,
Deterioration in the issuer’s competitive position,
Reduced access to capital for the issuer,
Changes in the issuer’s management,
Whether the Investment Manager’s price target for the security has been achieved, and/or
The investment’s potential upside/downside compared to other investments or investment opportunities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including High-Yield Investments Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Confidential Information Access Risk. In many instances, issuers of floating rate loans offer to furnish material, non-public information (Confidential Information) to prospective purchasers or holders of the issuer’s floating rate loans to help potential investors assess the value of the loan. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of Confidential Information about the issuers of floating rate loans being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information from these issuers may disadvantage the Fund as compared to other floating rate loan investors, and may adversely affect the price the Fund pays for the loans it purchases, or the price at which the Fund sells the loans. Further, in situations when holders of floating rate loans are asked, for example, to grant consents, waivers or amendments, the ability to assess the desirability thereof may be compromised. For these and other reasons, it is possible that the decision not to receive Confidential Information could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or
Prospectus 2019 185

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be
186 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may consist of transactions involving refinancings, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions and other financings for general corporate purposes. The Fund’s investments also may include senior obligations of a borrower issued in connection with a restructuring pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (commonly known as “debtor-in-possession” financings), provided that such senior obligations are determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be a suitable investment for the Fund. In such highly leveraged transactions, the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Such business objectives may include but are not limited to: management’s taking over control of a company (leveraged buy-out); reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a company (leveraged recapitalization); or acquiring another company. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to
Prospectus 2019 187

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). This exposes the Fund to the risk that the receipt of principal and interest payments may be late due to delayed interest settlement. Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming
188 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if the Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, including the Fund. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders. The remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it. From time to time, disagreements may arise amongst the holders of loans and debt in the capital structure of an issuer, which may give rise to litigation risks, including the risk that a court could take action adverse to the holders of the loan, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee. As an assignee, the Fund will usually succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. Alternatively, the Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and the Fund normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, the Fund would also be subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest would not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund. It may also be difficult for the Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in
Prospectus 2019 189

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Lavin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of U.S. High Yield, Co-Head Global High Yield   Lead Portfolio Manager   2004
Daniel J. DeYoung   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   February 2019
Mr. Lavin joined the Investment Manager in 1994. Mr. Lavin began his investment career in 1986 and earned an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Mr. DeYoung joined the Investment Manager in 2013. Mr. DeYoung began his investment career in 2005 and earned a B.S. from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
190 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while attempting to conserve the value of the investment for the longest period of time. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. government, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures) and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, and interest rate swaps) for hedging and investment purposes, and to manage credit and interest rate exposure of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
While the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, under normal circumstances, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity will be between three and ten years. A bond is issued with a specific maturity date, which is the date when the issuer must pay back the bond’s principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond’s maturity, the more price risk the Fund and the Fund’s investors face as interest rates rise, but the Fund could receive a higher yield in return for that longer maturity and higher interest rate risk.
The selection of debt obligations is the primary decision in building the investment portfolio.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) evaluates a number of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio.
The Investment Manager, in connection with selecting individual investments for the Fund, evaluates a security based on its potential to generate income and/or capital appreciation. The Investment Manager considers, among other factors, the creditworthiness of the issuer of the security and the various features of the security, such as its interest rate, yield, maturity, any call features and value relative to other securities. The Investment Manager also considers local, national and global economic conditions, market conditions, interest rate movements and other relevant factors in allocating the Fund’s assets among issuers, securities, industry sectors and maturities.
The Investment Manager may sell a security if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances, or that other investments are more attractive; if there is deterioration in a security’s credit rating; or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Prospectus 2019 191

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Credit Risk , and Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default,
192 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 193

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
An interest rate swap is a derivative in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows, based on a specified notional amount from a fixed rate to a floating rate (or vice versa) or from one floating rate to another. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
194 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Prospectus 2019 195

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
196 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or
Prospectus 2019 197

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receive differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. The cash flows and
198 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
yields on IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. A rapid rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of IOs. A slow rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of POs. If prepayments of principal are greater than anticipated, an investor in IOs may incur substantial losses. If prepayments of principal are slower than anticipated, the yield on a PO will be affected more severely than would be the case with a traditional mortgage-backed security.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Jason Callan   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Structured Assets   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Gene Tannuzzo, CFA   Deputy Global Head of Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. Callan joined the Investment Manager in 2007. Mr. Callan began his investment career in 2004 and earned a B.S. from the University of Minnesota and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
Mr. Tannuzzo joined the Investment Manager in 2003. Mr. Tannuzzo began his investment career in 2003 and earned a B.S.B. and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.
Prospectus 2019 199

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index). These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies that the investment manager believes have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the consumer discretionary sector.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies.
In selecting investments, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) employs fundamental analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio. The Investment Manager considers, among other factors:
overall economic and market conditions; and
the financial condition and management of a company, including its competitive position, the quality of its balance sheet and earnings, its future prospects, and the potential for growth and stock price appreciation.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when it deems the security has become expensive relative to various valuation measures; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects; if other investments are more attractive; or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Sector Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks
200 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Prospectus 2019 201

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the consumer discretionary sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
202 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
John Wilson, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2010
Tchintcia Barros, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2015
Mr. Wilson joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2005. Mr. Wilson began his investment career in 1985 and earned a B.A. from Trinity College and an M.B.A. from Duke University.
Ms. Barros joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2005. Ms. Barros began her investment career in 2000 and earned a B.A. in economics from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Prospectus 2019 203

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index (the Index).
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity index futures), for cash equitization purposes.
Different common stocks have different weightings in the Index, depending on the amount of stock outstanding and the stock’s current price. In seeking to match the performance of the Index, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) attempts to allocate the Fund’s assets among common stocks in approximately the same weightings as the Index. This is referred to as a passive or indexing approach to investing.
As a result of the Fund’s indexing approach to investing, the Fund will typically emphasize within the portfolio those economic sectors emphasized by the Index, such as the information technology and technology-related sectors.. The Fund may buy shares of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Manager, which is currently included in the Index, subject to certain restrictions.
The Fund attempts to achieve at least a 95% correlation between the performance of the Index and the Fund’s investment results, before fees and expenses. A correlation of 1.00 means the return of the Fund can be completely explained by the return of the Index. The Fund’s ability to track the Index is affected by, among other things, transaction costs and other expenses (which the Index does not incur), changes in the composition of the Index, changes in the number of shares issued by the companies represented in the Index, and by the timing and amount of Fund shareholder purchases and redemptions.
In the event a correlation of 0.95 or better is not achieved, the Fund’s Board of Trustees will consider alternative arrangements.
The Fund may change its target Index for a different index if the current Index is discontinued or if the Board believes a different index would better enable the Fund to match the performance of the market segment represented by the current Index. The substitute index will measure the same general segment of the market as the current Index.
The Investment Manager may sell a stock when the stock’s percentage weighting in the index is reduced, when the stock is removed from the index, if the timing of cash flows in and out of the Fund requires it to sell a security, corporate actions have affected the issuer (such as corporate reorganizations, mergers or acquisitions) or for other reasons.
Although index funds, by their nature, tend to be tax-efficient investments, the Fund generally is managed without regard to tax efficiency.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Passive Investment Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Correlation/Tracking Error Risk. The Fund’s value will generally decline when the performance of the Index declines. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of correlation
204 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. The factors that may adversely affect the Fund’s correlation with the Index include, among others, the size of the Fund’s portfolio, fees, expenses, transaction costs, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards, the effectiveness of sampling techniques (if applicable), changes in the Index and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests. While the Fund typically seeks to track the performance of the Index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the components of the Index in approximately the same proportion as their weighting in the Index, at times, the Fund may not have investment exposure to all components of the Index, or its weighting of investment exposure to such components may be different from that of the Index. In addition, the Fund may invest in securities or other instruments not included in the Index. The Fund may take or refrain from taking investment positions for various reasons, such as tax efficiency purposes, or to comply with regulatory restrictions, which may negatively affect the Fund’s correlation with the Index. The Fund may also be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to certain components of the Index and may be impacted by Index reconstitutions and Index rebalancing events. Holding cash balances may detract from the Fund’s ability to track the Index. In addition, the Fund’s NAV may deviate from the Index if the Fund fair values a portfolio security at a price other than the price used by the Index for that security. The Fund also bears management and other expenses and transaction costs in trading securities or other instruments, which the Index does not bear. Accordingly, the Fund’s performance will likely fail to match the performance of the Index, after taking expenses into account. Any of these factors could decrease correlation between the performance of the Fund and the Index and may hinder the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be
Prospectus 2019 205

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants,
206 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Christopher Lo, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Vadim Shteyn   Associate Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2011
Dr. Lo joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1998. Dr. Lo began his investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. and M.E. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University and the doctoral degree in professional studies (DPS) from Pace University, with a concentration in finance and international economics.
Mr. Shteyn joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2006. Mr. Shteyn began his investment career in 2006.
Prospectus 2019 207

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with growth of capital. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) at the time of purchase in the common stocks of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, mid-cap companies are considered to be companies whose market capitalization falls within the market capitalization range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap ®  Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254 million and $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund invests typically in common stocks of companies believed to have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth but may invest in companies for their short, medium or long-term prospects. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in special situations, such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies.
The investment manager employs fundamental analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers, among other factors:
overall economic and market conditions; and
the financial condition and management of a company, including its competitive position, the quality of its balance sheet and earnings, its future prospects, and the potential for growth and stock price appreciation.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when the security’s price reaches a target set by the Investment Manager; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects; if other investments are more attractive; or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
208 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which
Prospectus 2019 209

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) can, in certain circumstances, have more risk than securities of larger capitalization companies (larger companies). For example, mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be difficult and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the
210 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Initial public offerings are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. To the extent the Fund determines to invest in initial public offerings, it may not be able to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an initial public offering are available to the Fund. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in initial public offerings may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager and its investment advisory affiliates, including Columbia Management (Affiliates), may coordinate in providing services to their clients. From time to time, the Investment Manager may engage its Affiliates to provide a variety of services such as trading and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management) to certain accounts managed by the Investment Manager, including the Fund. These Affiliates will provide services to the Investment Manager pursuant to personnel-sharing agreements or similar inter-company arrangements and the Fund will pay no additional fees and expenses as a result of any such arrangements. These Affiliates, like the Investment Manager, are direct or indirect subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial and are registered with the appropriate respective regulators and, where required, the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the United States.
Pursuant to some of these arrangements, certain employees of Columbia Management and other Affiliates may serve as “associated persons” of the Investment Manager and, in this capacity, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Investment Manager and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, and the Investment Manager’s and the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures, may provide such services to the Fund on behalf of the Investment Manager.
Prospectus 2019 211

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA   Director of Research (U.S.) and Senior Portfolio Manager at Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, an investment advisory affiliate of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2018
Erika K. Maschmeyer, CFA   Senior Domestic Equity Analyst at Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, an investment advisory affiliate of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
John L. Emerson, CFA   Senior Domestic Equity Analyst at Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, an investment advisory affiliate of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
Mr. Litfin joined Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (Columbia WAM), an Affiliate, in 2015. Prior to joining Columbia WAM, Mr. Litfin served as a portfolio manager and analyst for funds that invested in small- and mid-cap companies. Mr. Litfin began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.S. from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Ms. Maschmeyer joined Columbia WAM, an Affiliate, in 2016. Prior to joining Columbia WAM, Ms. Maschmeyer was a research analyst at an investment advisory firm where she was responsible for U.S. consumer discretionary/staples investments. Ms. Maschmeyer began her investment career in 2001 and earned a B.A. from Denison University and an M.B.A from the University of Chicago.
Mr. Emerson joined Columbia WAM, an Affiliate, in 2003. Prior to joining Columbia WAM, Mr. Emerson was an equity research analyst for an equity research firm. Mr. Emerson began his investment career in 2002 and earned a B.S. from the University of Missouri and an M.B.A from the University of Chicago.
212 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities, such as common and preferred stock, or indirectly through mutual funds and closed-end funds, as well as depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. The Fund may invest in securities of or relating to issuers believed to be undervalued (i.e., “value” stocks), represent growth opportunities (i.e., “growth” stocks), or both. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies.
The Fund may invest in companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers, other corporate restructurings and other special situations. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity futures and index futures) and options (including options on stocks and indices), for both hedging and non-hedging purposes including, for example, for investment purposes to seek to enhance returns or, in certain circumstances, when holding a derivative is deemed preferable to holding the underlying asset. In particular, the Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to hedge the currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund’s securities, to shift investment exposure from one currency to another, to shift U.S. dollar exposure to achieve a representative weighted mix of major currencies in its benchmark, or to adjust an underweight country exposure in its portfolio. The Fund may also invest in equity index futures to manage exposure to the securities market and to maintain equity market exposure while managing cash flows.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The investment manager employs fundamental analysis with risk management in identifying growth or value opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio.
In selecting investments, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers, among other factors:
businesses that are believed to be fundamentally sound and undervalued due to investor indifference, investor misperception of company prospects, or other factors;
various measures of valuation, including price-to-cash flow, price-to-earnings, price-to-sales, and price-to-book value. The Investment Manager believes that companies with lower valuations are generally more likely to provide opportunities for capital appreciation;
a company’s current operating margins relative to its historic range and future potential; and/or
potential indicators of stock price appreciation, such as anticipated earnings growth, company restructuring, changes in management, business model changes, new product opportunities or anticipated improvements in macroeconomic factors.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when the security’s price reaches a target set by the Investment Manager; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects; if other investments are more attractive; or for other reasons.
Prospectus 2019 213

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Emerging Market Securities Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Closed-End Investment Company Risk. Closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their NAV, which may affect whether the Fund will realize gain or loss upon its sale of the closed-end investment company’s shares. Closed-end investment companies may employ leverage, which also subjects the closed-end investment company to increased risks such as increased volatility.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse
214 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the
Prospectus 2019 215

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of
216 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. A number of countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact that country, other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified in a region with more developed countries and economies. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Continued growth of economies and securities markets in the region will require sustained economic and fiscal discipline, as well as continued commitment to governmental and regulatory reforms. Development also may be influenced by international economic conditions, including those in the United States and Japan, and by world demand for goods or natural resources produced in countries in the Asia Pacific region. Securities markets in the region are generally smaller and have a lower trading volume than those in the United States, which may result in the securities of some companies in the region being less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities. Some currencies, inflation rates or interest rates in the Asia Pacific region are or can be volatile, and some countries in the region may restrict the flow of money in and out of the country. The risks described under “Emerging Market Securities Risk” and  “Foreign Securities Risk” may be more pronounced due to the Fund’s focus on investments in the region.
Prospectus 2019 217

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). European countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the EMU imposes on its members and with which candidates for EMU membership are required to comply. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single EU country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. Unemployment in Europe has historically been higher than in the United States and public deficits are an ongoing concern in many European countries. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. At a referendum in June 2016, the citizens of the UK voted to leave the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”).  However, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.  The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.  The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.  For more information on the risks associated with Brexit, see the Statement of Additional Information. 
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Investing in Other Funds Risk. The Fund’s investment in other funds (affiliated and/or unaffiliated funds) subjects the Fund to the investment performance (positive or negative) and risks of the underlying funds in direct proportion to the Fund’s investment therein. The performance of the underlying funds could be adversely affected if other investors in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying fund being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the underlying funds could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the underlying funds. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the underlying funds. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated underlying funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated underlying funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in other underlying funds, including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if an appropriate alternate underlying fund is not identified in a timely manner or at all.
218 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Prospectus 2019 219

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Initial public offerings are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. To the extent the Fund determines to invest in initial public offerings, it may not be able to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an initial public offering are available to the Fund. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in initial public offerings may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
220 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
Portfolio Management
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments.
With respect to the Fund, the Fund’s Board has approved a subadvisory agreement between the Investment Manager and Threadneedle International Limited (Threadneedle), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. At present, Threadneedle is not providing services to the Fund pursuant to the subadvisory agreement. Threadneedle previously provided subadvisory services pursuant to the subadvisory agreement from July 2004 through April 30, 2018, and the Investment Manager may in the future determine to re-allocate Fund assets to Threadneedle to serve the Fund in a subadvisory capacity. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with Threadneedle is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Fred Copper, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Daisuke Nomoto, CMA (SAAJ)   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Mr. Copper joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2005. Mr. Copper began his investment career in 1990 and earned a B.S. from Boston College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.
Mr. Nomoto joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2005. Mr. Nomoto began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.A. from Shiga University, Japan.
Prospectus 2019 221

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Large Cap
Value Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which large market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach.
Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 40 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers use a bottom-up stock selection approach, which means that they concentrate on individual company fundamentals, rather than on a particular industry, although at times factors that make a particular company attractive may also make other companies within the same industry attractive, and the portfolio managers may invest in these issuers as well. 
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers a variety of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio which may include, among others, the following:
a low price-to-earnings and/or low price-to-book ratio;
positive change in senior management;
positive corporate restructuring;
temporary setback in price due to factors that no longer exist or are ending;
a positive shift in the company’s business cycle; and/or
a catalyst for increase in the rate of the company’s earnings growth.
The Investment Manager generally sells a stock if it believes the stock has become fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated, or ongoing evaluation reveals that there are more attractive investment opportunities available. The Investment Manager monitors the Fund’s holdings, remaining sensitive to overvaluation and deteriorating fundamentals.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
222 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Large Cap
Value Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Focused Portfolio Risk. The Fund, because it may invest in a limited number of companies, may have more volatility in its NAV and is considered to have more risk than a fund that invests in a greater number of companies because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in fewer securities, the Fund is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial
Prospectus 2019 223

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Large Cap
Value Fund (continued)
services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Richard Rosen   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2008
Richard Taft   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2016
Mr. Rosen joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1997. Mr. Rosen began his investment career in 1982 and earned a B.A. from Brandeis University and an M.B.A. from New York University.
Mr. Taft joined the Investment Manager in 2011. Mr. Taft began his investment career in 1997 and earned a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University at Buffalo.
224 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies are those whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase fall within the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index) (between $254.0 million and $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund normally invests in common stocks and also may invest in real estate investment trusts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
The investment manager employs fundamental analysis with risk management in identifying value opportunities and constructing the Fund's portfolio.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers use a bottom-up stock selection approach, which means that they concentrate on individual company fundamentals, rather than on a particular industry, although at times factors that make a particular company attractive may also make other companies within the same industry attractive, and the portfolio managers may invest in these issuers as well. 
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers a variety of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio which may include, among others, the following:
a low price-to-earnings and/or low price-to-book ratio;
positive change in senior management;
positive corporate restructuring;
temporary setback in price due to factors that no longer exist or are ending;
a positive shift in the company’s business cycle; and/or
a catalyst for increase in the rate of the company’s earnings growth.
The Investment Manager generally sells a stock if it believes the stock has become fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated, or ongoing evaluation reveals that there are more attractive investment opportunities available. The Investment Manager monitors the Fund’s holdings, remaining sensitive to overvaluation and deteriorating fundamentals.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk ,  Issuer Risk Market Risk , and  Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s
Prospectus 2019 225

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Focused Portfolio Risk. The Fund, because it may invest in a limited number of companies, may have more volatility in its NAV and is considered to have more risk than a fund that invests in a greater number of companies because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in fewer securities, the Fund is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
226 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
Securities of mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) can, in certain circumstances, have more risk than securities of larger capitalization companies (larger companies). For example, mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be difficult and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Prospectus 2019 227

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Kari Montanus   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2018
David Hoffman   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2013
Jonas Patrikson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2014
Ms. Montanus joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Ms. Montanus began her investment career in 1992 and earned a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. in finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Hoffman joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2001. Mr. Hoffman began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.A. from Grinnell College and an M.A. from Columbia University.
Mr. Patrikson joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2004. Mr. Patrikson began his investment career in 1990 and earned a B.A. from the University of Linkoping, Sweden.
228 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Small Cap
Value Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 2000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $24.6 million and $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which smaller market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts.
The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 40 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers use a bottom-up stock selection approach, which means that they concentrate on individual company fundamentals, rather than on a particular industry, although at times factors that make a particular company attractive may also make other companies within the same industry attractive, and the portfolio managers may invest in these issuers as well. 
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers a variety of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio which may include, among others, the following:
a low price-to-earnings and/or low price-to-book ratio;
positive change in senior management;
positive corporate restructuring;
temporary setback in price due to factors that no longer exist or are ending;
a positive shift in the company’s business cycle; and/or
a catalyst for increase in the rate of the company’s earnings growth.
The Investment Manager generally sells a stock if it believes the stock has become fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated, or ongoing evaluation reveals that there are more attractive investment opportunities available. The Investment Manager monitors the Fund’s holdings, remaining sensitive to overvaluation and deteriorating fundamentals.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Prospectus 2019 229

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Small Cap
Value Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Focused Portfolio Risk. The Fund, because it may invest in a limited number of companies, may have more volatility in its NAV and is considered to have more risk than a fund that invests in a greater number of companies because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in fewer securities, the Fund is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
230 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Small Cap
Value Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger-capitalization companies but may also have more risk. For example, small-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that
Prospectus 2019 231

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Select Small Cap
Value Fund (continued)
industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Kari Montanus   Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
David Hoffman   Senior Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
Jonas Patrikson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2018
Ms. Montanus joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Ms. Montanus began her investment career in 1992 and earned a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. in finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Hoffman joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2001. Mr. Hoffman began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.A. from Grinnell College and an M.A. from Columbia University.
Mr. Patrikson joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2004. Mr. Patrikson began his investment career in 1990 and earned a B.A. from the University of Linkoping, Sweden.
232 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in mortgage-related securities. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in mortgage-related securities that either are issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities. This includes, but is not limited to, Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae) mortgage-backed bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government; and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac) mortgage-backed bonds. FNMA and FHLMC are chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress; however, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. A bond is issued with a specific maturity date, which is the date when the issuer must pay back the bond’s principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond’s maturity, the more price risk the Fund and the Fund’s investors face as interest rates rise, but the Fund could receive a higher yield in return for that longer maturity and higher interest rate risk.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures) to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) chooses investments by considering, among other factors:
Relative value within the U.S. Government mortgage sector.
The interest rate outlook.
The yield curve.
The yield curve is a graphic representation of the yields of bonds of the same quality but different maturities. A graph showing an upward trend with short-term rates lower than long-term rates is called a positive yield curve, while a downward trend is a negative or inverted yield curve.
In evaluating whether to sell a security, the Investment Manager considers, among other factors, whether in its view:
The interest rate or economic outlook changes.
The security is overvalued relative to alternative investments.
A more attractive opportunity exists.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Prospectus 2019 233

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk , Interest Rate Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in
234 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which
Prospectus 2019 235

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets
236 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance,
Prospectus 2019 237

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receive differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. The cash flows and yields on IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. A rapid rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of IOs. A slow rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of POs. If prepayments of principal are greater than anticipated, an investor in IOs may incur substantial losses. If prepayments of principal are slower than anticipated, the yield on a PO will be affected more severely than would be the case with a traditional mortgage-backed security.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities
238 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (continued)
issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Jason Callan   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Structured Assets   Co-Portfolio Manager   2012
Tom Heuer, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2012
Ryan Osborn, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   February 2019
Mr. Callan joined the Investment Manager in 2007. Mr. Callan began his investment career in 2004 and earned a B.S. from the University of Minnesota and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
Mr. Heuer joined the Investment Manager in 1993. Mr. Heuer began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota.
Mr. Osborn joined the Investment Manager in 2004. Mr. Osborn began his investment career in 2004 and earned a B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Prospectus 2019 239

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return that exceeds the rate of inflation over the long term. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in inflation-protected debt securities. These securities include inflation-indexed bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Government and non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, and U.S. and non-U.S. corporations. The Fund invests only in securities rated investment grade at the time of purchase by a third-party rating agency or, if unrated, deemed by the management team to be of comparable quality. Split-rated securities are considered to have the higher credit rating. Split-rated securities are those that receive different credit ratings from two or more rating agencies. Inflation-protected securities are designed to protect the future purchasing power of the money invested in them. The value of the bond’s principal or the interest income paid on the bond is adjusted to track changes in an official inflation measure. Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in sectors outside the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked Bond Index USD Hedged (the Index). The Fund seeks to maintain an average duration that is within a range of plus or minus 20% of the duration of the Index. Duration measures the sensitivity of bond prices to changes in interest rates. The longer the duration of a bond, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, a three-year duration means a bond is expected to decrease in value by 3% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 3% if interest rates fall 1%.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including Europe.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate, other bond, and index futures), options (including options on futures and indices) and swaps (including interest rate swaps and inflation rate swaps). The Fund may enter into derivatives for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes, to increase flexibility, to produce incremental earnings, and to manage duration, yield curve and interest rate exposure. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BlackRock or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
BlackRock is also responsible for the supervision of BlackRock International Limited (BIL), an affiliate of BlackRock, which assists in providing day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund pursuant to a sub-subadvisory agreement with BlackRock. BlackRock and BIL are collectively referred to as the Subadvisers.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the Subadvisers make purchase and sale decisions using proprietary interest rate and price index models and seasoned professional judgment;
240 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Securities are purchased for the Fund when the management team determines that they have the potential for above average total return;
If a security falls below investment grade, the management team will decide whether to continue to hold the security. A security will be sold or its risks hedged if, in the opinion of the management team, the risk of continuing to hold the security is unattractive when compared to its total return potential;
Fund assets will be allocated among different countries and different market sectors (including different government or corporate issuers) and different maturities based on views of the relative value for each sector or maturity;
Duration and yield curve decisions will be based on fundamental views and quantitative analysis of forward looking interest rate determinants including inflation, real rates, risk premiums and relative supply/demand;
The Fund will target an average portfolio duration within a range of plus or minus 20% of the duration of the Index. The Subadvisers use an internal model for calculating duration, which may result in a different value for the duration of a benchmark compared to the duration calculated by the provider of the benchmark or another third party.
The management team may hedge any portion of the non-U.S. dollar denominated securities in the Fund to the U.S. dollar.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Inflation-Protected Securities Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality.
Prospectus 2019 241

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the
242 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
A bond (or debt instrument) future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a bond or other debt instrument, a basket of bonds or other debt instrument, or the bonds or other debt instruments in an index on a specified date at a predetermined price. The buyer (long position) of a bond future is obliged to buy the underlying reference at the agreed price on expiry of the future.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the
Prospectus 2019 243

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate swap is a derivative in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows, based on a specified notional amount from a fixed rate to a floating rate (or vice versa) or from one floating rate to another. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
An inflation rate swap is a derivative typically used to transfer inflation risk from one party to another through an exchange of cash flows. In an inflation rate swap, one party pays a fixed rate on a notional principal amount, while the other party pays a floating rate linked to an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the
244 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). European countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the EMU imposes on its members and with which candidates for EMU membership are required to comply. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single EU country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. Unemployment in Europe has historically been higher than in the United States and public deficits are an ongoing concern in many European countries. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. At a referendum in June 2016, the citizens of the UK voted to leave the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”).  However, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.  The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.  The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.  For more information on the risks associated with Brexit, see the Statement of Additional Information. 
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may
Prospectus 2019 245

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the
246 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Prospectus 2019 247

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debt-holders.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with BlackRock is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018. In addition, a discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the adoption of the investment sub-subadvisory agreement between BlackRock and BlackRock International Limited (BIL) is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Subadviser and Sub-Subadviser
BlackRock, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since October 2012, is located at 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. BlackRock, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. BlackRock is also responsible for the supervision of BlackRock International Limited (BIL), an affiliate of BlackRock, located at Exchange Place One, 1 Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL, Scotland, which assists in providing day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund pursuant to a sub-subadvisory agreement with BlackRock. BlackRock was established in 1988 and offers investment management services through various BlackRock entities that are registered as investment advisers with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as through multiple affiliates. As part of their investment management services, BlackRock and BIL collectively offer a variety of investment strategies, including but not limited to fixed income, cash management, equity, alternative, index and multi-asset.
248 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BlackRock)
Sub-Subadviser: BlackRock International Limited (BIL)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Christopher Allen, CFA   Managing Director of BIL   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Akiva Dickstein   Managing Director of BlackRock   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Mr. Allen’s service with BIL dates back to 2004, including his years with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, which merged with BlackRock in 2006. He currently serves as Managing Director, and is a senior portfolio manager for the Fundamental European team and Co-Head of Global Inflation Linked Portfolios within BlackRock’s Global Fixed Income Group. He began his investment career in 2004 and earned an M.A. in mathematics from Oxford University.
Mr. Dickstein joined BlackRock in 2009. He currently serves as Managing Director, and is Head of Customized Core Portfolios and Co-Head of Global Inflation Linked Portfolios within BlackRock’s Global Fixed Income Group. Prior to his current role, Mr. Dickstein was the lead manager on BlackRock’s mortgage portfolios. He began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.A. in economics from Yale University and an M.A. in physics from Princeton University.
Prospectus 2019 249

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities. Equity securities include, for example, common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that are believed to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other companies (growth companies), in companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies), or in a combination of growth and value companies. Although the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily invests in companies with capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of the Fund’s investment.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The subadviser uses fundamental analysis and quantitative models in buying and selling investments for the Fund.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
The Subadviser’s approach to buying and selling investments for the Fund is primarily based on blending bottom-up fundamental and bottom-up quantitative research. The Subadviser uses fundamental analysis of individual issuers and their potential in light of their financial condition and market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions to determine a fundamental rating for an issuer. Factors considered may include analysis of an issuer’s earnings, cash flows, competitive position, and management ability. The Subadviser uses quantitative analysis, including quantitative models that systematically evaluate an issuer’s valuation, price and earnings momentum, earnings quality, and other factors to determine a quantitative rating for an issuer. When MFS quantitative research is available but MFS fundamental research is not available, the Subadviser considers the issuer to have a neutral fundamental rating. The Subadviser constructs the portfolio by considering the blended rating from combining the fundamental rating and the quantitative rating, as well as issuer, industry and sector weightings, market capitalization, volatility and other factors. MFS’ goal is to construct an actively managed portfolio with a target predicted tracking error of approximately 2% compared to an index that represents the Fund’s investment universe. Tracking error generally measures how the differences between the Fund’s returns and the index’s returns have varied over a period of time. A lower tracking error means that there is generally less variation between the Fund’s returns compared to an index that represents the Fund’s investment universe. Third party quantitative risk models are used to measure the predicted tracking error of the Fund’s portfolio. The Subadviser monitors individual issuers for changes in the factors and ratings above, which may trigger a decision to sell a security, but does not require a decision to do so.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
250 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of
Prospectus 2019 251

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Investment Strategy Risk. There is no assurance that the Fund’s predicted tracking error will equal its target predicted tracking error at any point in time or consistently for any period of time, or that the Fund’s predicted tracking error and actual tracking error will be similar. The Fund's strategy to target a predicted tracking error of approximately 2% compared to an index that represents the Fund’s investment universe and to blend fundamental and quantitative research may not produce the intended results. In addition, fundamental research may not be available for all issuers.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the
252 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or
Prospectus 2019 253

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with MFS is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
MFS, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2016, is located at 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199. MFS, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. MFS and its predecessor organizations have a history of money management dating from 1924 and the founding of the first U.S. mutual fund. MFS is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Financial Services Holdings, Inc., which in turn is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. (a diversified financial services company). MFS provides investment advisory services to a range of institutional clients and pooled investment vehicles.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS)
    
254 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Matt Krummell, CFA   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Jim Fallon   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Jonathan Sage, CFA   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Jed Stocks, CFA   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Mr. Krummell has been employed in the investment area of MFS since 2001. Mr. Krummell earned a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.
Mr. Fallon has been employed in the investment area of MFS since 1999. Mr. Fallon earned a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and an M.B.A. from Boston University.
Mr. Sage has been employed in the investment area of MFS since 2000. Mr. Sage earned a B.A. from Tufts University and an M.S. and M.B.A. from Boston College.
Mr. Stocks has been employed in the investment area of MFS since 2001. Mr. Stocks earned a B.S. from Lehigh University.
Prospectus 2019 255

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, the Fund considers mid-cap companies to be those whose market capitalization falls within the range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $254.0 million to $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. As a result of the bottom-up stock selection process, Victory Capital Management Inc. from time to time may find more compelling investment opportunities in certain economic sectors, such as the financial services sector.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Victory Capital Management Inc. (Victory Capital or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
The Fund invests in companies that are expected to benefit from either macroeconomic or company-specific factors, and that are attractively priced relative to their fundamentals.
The Fund invests in companies that Victory Capital believes to be of high quality based on criteria such as market share position, profitability, balance sheet strength, competitive advantages, management competence and the ability to generate excess cash flow. Victory Capital uses a bottom-up investment process in conducting fundamental analysis to identify companies trading below Victory Capital’s assessment of intrinsic value that have sustainable returns and prospects for an inflection in business fundamentals that will enable the stock price to be revalued higher.
Victory Capital may sell a security if it believes the price objective for the stock has been reached, if more attractive opportunities are identified, or if the fundamentals of the company deteriorate.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Value Securities Risk , and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks
256 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Prospectus 2019 257

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
Securities of mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) can, in certain circumstances, have more risk than securities of larger capitalization companies (larger companies). For example, mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be difficult and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial
258 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with Victory Capital is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
Victory Capital, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since November 2012, is located at 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Victory Capital, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. Victory Capital is a multi-boutique asset manager comprised of multiple investment teams, referred to as investment franchises, each of which utilizes an independent approach to investing. Sycamore Capital is the investment franchise responsible for management of the Fund. The portfolio managers listed below are members of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital investment franchise.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Victory Capital Management Inc. (Victory Capital)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Gary Miller   Chief Investment Officer of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Lead Portfolio Manager   2012
Jeffrey Graff, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
Gregory Conners   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
Prospectus 2019 259

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
James Albers, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
Michael Rodarte, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Victory Capital’s Sycamore Capital   Portfolio Manager   2012
Mr. Miller has been associated with Victory Capital since 1987. Mr. Miller is Chief Investment Officer of Sycamore Capital. Mr. Miller began his investment career in 1987 and earned a B.B.A. from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from Xavier University.
Mr. Graff has been associated with Victory Capital since 2001. Mr. Graff began his investment career in 1994 and earned a B.B.A. from Cleveland State University and a M.Fin. from St. Louis University.
Mr. Conners has been associated with Victory Capital since 1999. Mr. Conners began his investment career in 1994 and earned a B.S. from the College of Mount St. Joseph and an M.B.A. from Xavier University.
Mr. Albers has been associated with Victory Capital since 2005. Mr. Albers began his investment career in 1997 and earned a B.S. and a M.S. from the University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Rodarte has been associated with Victory Capital since 2006. Mr. Rodarte began his investment career in 2006 and earned a B.B.A. from Ohio University.
260 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in small cap companies. For these purposes, small cap companies are those that have a market capitalization, at the time of investment, that falls within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Value Index (the Index) or up to $2.5 billion, whichever is greater. The Fund may buy and hold stock in a company that is not included in the Index. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $24.6 million to $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund may invest in any type of security, including common stocks and depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadvisers: Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. (Jacobs Levy), Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (Nuveen Asset Management) and Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC (SBH) (Jacobs Levy, Nuveen Asset Management and SBH, each a Subadviser and collectively, the Subadvisers). The Subadvisers provide day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund. The Investment Manager, subject to the oversight of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, decides the proportion of the Fund’s assets to be managed by each Subadviser, and may change these proportions at any time. Each Subadviser acts independently of any other Subadviser and uses its own methodology for selecting investments. Each of the Subadvisers employs an active investment strategy that focuses on small cap companies in an attempt to take advantage of what are believed to be undervalued securities. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Jacobs Levy
Jacobs Levy invests in small cap value stocks for the Fund using a dynamic, multidimensional investment process that combines human insight and intuition, finance and behavioral theory, and quantitative and statistical methods. Jacobs Levy’s security evaluation process focuses on the modeling of a large number of stocks and proprietary factors, using financial statements, security analyst forecasts, corporate management signals, economic releases, and security prices. This investment approach is intended to promote diversification across securities, industries, and sectors, while managing for known risk exposures relative to the underlying benchmark. The range of models is designed to allow the portfolio to be diversified across exposures to numerous potential opportunities. Jacobs Levy generally considers selling a stock when the return prediction generated by its models, adjusted for risk and expected transaction costs, is notably surpassed by another stock’s return prediction. Partial sales may occur when Jacobs Levy’s investment process determines that these transactions could benefit portfolio performance or when, as a result of market action, a position has grown to a size that impinges on portfolio risk or liquidity limitations. Sales may also occur under special circumstances; for example, if a company agrees to be acquired, and trades as a merger arbitrage situation, its stock may be sold. Sales can be triggered when necessary valuation data are no longer available; for example, if all security analysts drop coverage of a stock, the position may be sold.
Prospectus 2019 261

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Nuveen Asset Management
In selecting stocks, Nuveen Asset Management invests in companies that it believes meet at least two of the following criteria:
Undervalued relative to other companies in the same industry or market;
Good or improving fundamentals; and
An identifiable catalyst that could close the gap between market value and fair value over the next one to two years.
Nuveen Asset Management will generally sell a stock if the stock hits its price target, the company’s fundamentals or competitive position significantly deteriorate, or if a better alternative exists in the marketplace.
SBH – Small Cap Value Dividend Strategy
SBH’s small cap value dividend investment strategy is based on three factors: 1) positive free cash flow and an attractive valuation relative to free cash flow; 2) effective use by management of free cash flow; and 3) a dividend-paying emphasis. Free cash flow is the cash available for the company to create value for shareholders after payment of all cash expenses, taxes and maintenance capital investments. The style employs a quantitative screen to identify opportunities in the investment universe; however, the process emphasizes independent fundamental research and modeling to analyze securities.
The initial universe consists of dividend-paying public companies within the market capitalization range of the Index. SBH screens this universe with a proprietary, sector-based multi-factor screen. The screen aims to identify stocks that are not only inexpensive, but also have fundamentals (revenues, margins, and asset turnover) that are showing early signs of improvement. The most attractively ranked stocks are candidates for fundamental analysis. SBH uses independent fundamental research to identify companies where it believes the early fundamental improvement in free cash flow is sustainable and not yet recognized by the market. In general, stocks with more potential upside based on the estimated intrinsic value are given higher weight.
There are four reasons SBH will sell a stock:
Estimate of intrinsic value is reached;
Changes in fundamentals violate original investment thesis;
More attractive investment ideas are developed; and/or
Stock appreciates out of our market-cap parameters.
SBH – Small Cap Value Strategy
SBH’s investment process is driven by a combination of quantitative analysis, fundamental analysis and experienced judgment. SBH seeks to exploit the relatively inefficient small cap market by investing in companies the stocks of which SBH believes are trading below SBH’s estimate of their intrinsic values. SBH utilizes several databases to screen approximately 4,000 potential value-oriented investments based on predetermined guidelines such as market capitalization and attractive relative valuation. In evaluating potential investments, SBH concentrates primarily on the companies’ cash flow capability over time. SBH uses a database model to evaluate market expectations of returns and cash flows, and seeks to identify stocks the prices of which SBH believes reflect low expectations by the market for the next two to five years. SBH then evaluates the validity of the market’s perceived expectations, ultimately trying to identify companies that will exceed these expectations, through analysis which includes speaking and/or meeting with a company’s management team.
SBH generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: (1) SBH’s estimate of full valuation is realized; (2) a position in a company within SBH’s allocated portion becomes over-weighted due to appreciation; (3) a more attractive stock is identified (in which case the least attractive stock in the portfolio is sold); (4) there is change in a company’s underlying fundamentals; or (5) the Fund requires cash to meet redemption requests.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
262 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which
Prospectus 2019 263

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger-capitalization companies but may also have more risk. For example, small-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee
264 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of renewal of the of the investment subadvisory agreements with Jacobs Levy, Nuveen Asset Management and SBH is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadvisers began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadvisers below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadvisers began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadvisers’ management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadvisers
Jacobs Levy, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2017, is located at 100 Campus Drive, 2nd Floor West, Florham Park, New Jersey 07932. Jacobs Levy, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia
Prospectus 2019 265

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Management. Jacobs Levy, a New Jersey corporation, was founded in September 1986. Jacobs Levy’s core business activity is managing U.S. equity portfolios for its clients, which include institutions with separately managed accounts, registered investment companies, and pooled investment vehicles intended for sophisticated, institutional investors.
Nuveen Asset Management, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2017, is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Nuveen Asset Management, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. Nuveen Asset Management was launched as a new firm in 2011 and it succeeds a business established in 1989. Nuveen Asset Management provides investment advisory services to a broad range of individual and institutional clients, including open-end and closed-end investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, as amended, and other pooled investment vehicles.
SBH, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since August 2014, is located at 540 West Madison Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60661-2551. SBH, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. SBH is a registered investment advisor established in 1994. SBH provides professional portfolio management of domestic and international equity, domestic fixed income and balanced portfolios, and alternative investments, to clients which include foundations, endowments, corporations, public funds, multi-employer plans and wealth management clients. Effective April 30, 2018, SBH acquired all of the assets of Denver Investment Advisors LLC (Denver Investments), which had served as a subadviser to the Fund from July 2007 until April 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. (Jacobs Levy)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Bruce Jacobs, Ph.D.   Co-Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager and Co-Director of Research of Jacobs Levy   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Kenneth Levy, CFA   Co-Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager and Co-Director of Research of Jacobs Levy   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Dr. Jacobs is a Principal and Co-Founder of Jacobs Levy, which was established in 1986. Dr. Jacobs began his investment career in 1982 and earned a B.A. from Columbia College, an M.S. from Columbia University, an M.S.I.A. from Carnegie Mellon University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Mr. Levy is a Principal and Co-Founder of Jacobs Levy, which was established in 1986. Mr. Levy began his investment career in 1982 and earned a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Subadviser: Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (Nuveen Asset Management)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Karen L. Bowie, CFA   Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Nuveen Asset Management   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Ms. Bowie joined Nuveen Asset Management in 2011. Ms. Bowie began her investment career in 1984 and earned a B.S.B.A. and an M.B.A. from Xavier University and a J.D. from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
Subadviser: Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC (SBH – Small Cap Value Dividend Strategy)
    
266 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Derek Anguilm, CFA   Principal, Director of Dividend Value Strategies of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2007
Mark Adelmann, CFA, CPA   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2007
Lisa Ramirez, CFA   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2007
Alex Ruehle, CFA   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Mr. Anguilm joined SBH in May 2018 as part of SBH’s acquisition of Denver Investments. Mr. Anguilm had been with Denver Investments since 2000. He began his investment career in 1999 and earned a B.S. in Finance from Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Mr. Adelmann joined SBH in May 2018 as part of SBH’s acquisition of Denver Investments. Mr. Adelmann had been with Denver Investments since 1995. He began his investment career in 1979 and earned a B.S. from Oral Roberts University.
Ms. Ramirez joined SBH in May 2018 as part of SBH's acquisition of Denver Investments. Ms. Ramirez had been with Denver Investments since 1993. She began her investment career in 1997 and earned a B.S. from the University of Colorado and an MBA from Regis University.
Mr. Ruehle joined the firm in May 2018 as part of SBH’s acquisition of Denver Investments. Mr. Ruehle had been with Denver Investments since 2008. He began his investment career in 2008 and earned a B.S. and MBA from the University of Denver.
Subadviser: Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC (SBH – Small Cap Value Strategy)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Mark Dickherber, CFA, CPA   Principal, Director of Small Cap Strategies of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Shaun Nicholson   Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Mr. Dickherber joined SBH in 2007. Mr. Dickherber began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.S. from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Mr. Nicholson joined SBH in 2011. Prior to 2011, Mr. Nicholson was associated with Kennedy Capital Management for over six years. Mr. Nicholson began his investment career in 2002 and earned a B.S. from Seton Hall University and an M.B.A. from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Prospectus 2019 267

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds
References to “the Fund” throughout the remainder of the prospectus refer to the VP Funds singularly or collectively as the context requires.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
For Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund , the Fund may invest up to 0.5% of its total assets in investments other than government securities, cash and repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash.  For each of the other funds , the Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the SAI. The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com. Portfolio holdings are not currently available on the website for all Funds.
Transactions in Derivatives
For all funds except Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
268 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Investing in Money Market Funds
For all funds except Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral.
The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
Prospectus 2019 269

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Investing Defensively
For all funds except Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
For Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions. These investment positions may include, without limitation, holding all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash for as long a period as deemed necessary. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
For all funds except Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedleus.com) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI. Portfolio holdings are not currently available on the website for all Funds.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
270 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
For all funds except Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund and Columbia VP - Large Cap Index Fund
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
Prospectus 2019 271

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Columbia VP - Disciplined Core Fund 0.71% 0.96% 0.835%
Columbia VP - Dividend Opportunity Fund 0.72% 0.97% 0.845%
Columbia VP - Emerging Markets Fund 1.14% 1.39% 1.265%
Columbia VP - Global Strategic Income Fund 0.58% 0.83% 0.705%
Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund 0.40% 0.65% 0.525%
Columbia VP - High Yield Bond Fund 0.67% 0.92% 0.795%
Columbia VP - Income Opportunities Fund 0.67% 0.92% 0.795%
Columbia VP - Intermediate Bond Fund 0.52% 0.77% 0.645%
Columbia VP - Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 1.00% 0.875%
Columbia VP - Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.73% 0.98% 0.855%
Columbia VP - Select Large Cap Value Fund 0.73% 0.98% 0.855%
Columbia VP - Select Mid Cap Value Fund 0.81% 1.06% 0.935%
Columbia VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 0.58% 0.83% 0.705%
CTIVP ® - BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund 0.60% 0.85% 0.725%
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund 0.69% 0.94% 0.815%
CTIVP ® - Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund 0.85% 1.10% 0.975%
VP - Partners Small Cap Value Fund 0.88% 1.13% 1.005%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Also, for the funds listed below, the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below), so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Columbia VP - Balanced Fund 0.76% 1.01% 0.885%
Columbia VP - Large Cap Index Fund 0.29% 0.54% 0.415%
Columbia VP - Overseas Core Fund 0.90% 1.15% 1.025%
Columbia VP - Select Small Cap Value Fund 0.88% 1.13% 1.005%
Under the arrangement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled
272 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest and infrequent and/or unusual expenses. This arrangement may be revised or discontinued at any time.
For Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund , in addition to any other waiver/reimbursement arrangement, from time to time, the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates may waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund for the purpose of allowing the Fund to avoid a negative net yield or to increase the Fund’s positive net yield. The Fund’s yield would be negative if Fund expenses exceed Fund income. Any such expense limitation is voluntary and may be revised or terminated at any time without notice to shareholders and, accordingly, any positive net yield resulting therefrom will cease.
For Columbia VP - Intermediate Bond Fund , the Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the management services fee on Fund assets that are invested in affiliated mutual funds, ETFs and closed-end funds that pay a management services fee to the Investment Manager. This arrangement may be modified or terminated by the Investment Manager at any time.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund. The Investment Manager is responsible for the investment management of the Fund, but has delegated certain of its duties, including day-to-day portfolio management of all or a portion of certain Fund’s assets to one or more investment subadvisers, as described in this prospectus, including determining the securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing these portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the
Prospectus 2019 273

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to the amount shown in the table below, as a percent of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
    
  Management fee for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
Columbia VP - Balanced Fund 0.69%
Columbia VP - Disciplined Core Fund 0.63%
Columbia VP - Dividend Opportunity Fund 0.66%
Columbia VP - Emerging Markets Fund 1.09%
Columbia VP - Global Strategic Income Fund 0.65%
Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund 0.39%
Columbia VP - High Yield Bond Fund 0.65%
Columbia VP - Income Opportunities Fund 0.66%
Columbia VP - Intermediate Bond Fund 0.47%*
Columbia VP - Large Cap Growth Fund 0.70%
Columbia VP - Large Cap Index Fund 0.20%
Columbia VP - Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.82%
Columbia VP - Overseas Core Fund 0.83%
Columbia VP - Select Large Cap Value Fund 0.71%
Columbia VP - Select Mid Cap Value Fund 0.82%
Columbia VP - Select Small Cap Value Fund 0.87%
Columbia VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 0.43%
CTIVP ® - BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund 0.51%
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund 0.70%
CTIVP ® - Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund 0.76%
VP - Partners Small Cap Value Fund 0.85%
* Net of any fee waivers.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
274 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
Prospectus 2019 275

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
276 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares Class 3 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor.
Investment Limits none none none
Conversion Features none none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25% 0.125%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract, qualified pension or retirement plan sponsors or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 and Class 3 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25% and the distribution fee for Class 3 shares is 0.125%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and
Prospectus 2019 277

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide Shareholder Services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
278 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's
Prospectus 2019 279

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
Shareholder Information
Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. Your product may not offer every share class. The Fund encourages you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions and for more information about the share classes offered by the Fund and available under your product. Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts and Qualified Plan sponsors.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners or participants in a Qualified Plan. When you sell your shares through your Contract or Qualified Plan, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract, participant in a Qualified Plan or qualified institutional investor who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or Qualified Plan or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts or the Qualified Plan.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
280 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase only through Contracts offered by participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners, and the interests of Qualified Plan participants, if any, may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract or Qualified Plan. Any charges that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans that may own shares directly, are described in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract or Qualified Plan. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, as applicable, for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder
Prospectus 2019 281

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
282 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia VP - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
Prospectus 2019 283

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases.
Each of Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund, Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund, Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund, Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund and CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (the RIC Funds) intend to qualify each year as a regulated investment company. For the RIC Funds, while a fund continues to hold an investment, any gain is generally unrealized. If the fund sells an investment, it generally will realize a capital gain if it sells that investment for a higher price than its adjusted cost basis, and will generally realize a capital loss if it sells that investment for a lower price than its adjusted cost basis. Capital gains and losses are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund holds the securities for one year or less (short-term) or more than one year (long-term).
Mutual funds treated as regulated investment companies for tax purposes are required to make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund.
Each of Columbia VP – Balanced Fund, Columbia VP – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund, Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund, Columbia VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund and VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Partnership Funds) expects to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes. Each Partnership Fund is not required to and does not expect to make regular distributions to its shareholders (other than in redemption of Fund shares), but may do so in the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or its delegates).
Each RIC Fund may make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's distributed income, including capital gains. Reinvesting your distributions buys you more shares of a fund — which lets you take advantage of the potential for compound growth. Putting the money you earn back into your investment means it, in turn, may earn even more money (or be exposed to additional losses, if the fund earns a negative return). Over time, the power of compounding has the potential to significantly increase the value of your investment. There is no assurance, however, that you'll earn more money if you reinvest your distributions rather than receive them in cash.
Each RIC Fund intends to pay out, in the form of distributions to shareholders, a sufficient amount of its income and gains so that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and generally will not have to pay any federal excise tax. The Fund generally intends to distribute any net realized capital gain (whether long-term or short-term gain) at least once a year. Normally, the Fund will declare and pay distributions of net investment income according to the following schedule:
    
  Declarations Distributions
Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund Quarterly Quarterly
Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund Quarterly Quarterly
Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund Daily Quarterly
Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund Annually Annually
Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund Annually Annually
Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund Annually Annually
Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund Quarterly Quarterly
Columbia VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund Annually Annually
CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Annually Annually
284 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
The RIC Funds may, however, declare or pay distributions of net investment income more frequently. Different share classes of the Fund usually pay different net investment income distribution amounts, because each class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the net asset value per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution. Each RIC Fund will automatically reinvest distributions in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund unless you inform us you want to receive your distributions to be paid in cash.
Taxes and Your Investment
Each Partnership Fund expects to be treated as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a Partnership Fund were not to qualify for such treatment, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the Fund level, which would reduce the value of an investment in the Fund.
As a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership,” each Partnership Fund is not itself subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, each shareholder will be required to take into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of the Partnership Fund’s income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and other tax items, without regard to whether such shareholder has received or will receive corresponding distributions from the Fund.
Each RIC Fund intends to qualify and be eligible for treatment each year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in fund level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you.
Shares of the Funds are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Review your Contract prospectus to determine the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes allocations or distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts, or, for Partnership Funds, if the Fund does not qualify for treatment as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership.”
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
Prospectus 2019 285

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Balanced Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 287

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.90 0.42 (1.97) (1.55)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $23.46 0.34 3.10 3.44
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $22.00 0.33 1.13 1.46
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $21.59 0.59 (c) (0.18) 0.41
Year Ended 12/31/2014 (d) $20.62 0.12 0.85 0.97
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.66 0.34 (1.94) (1.60)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $23.30 0.28 3.08 3.36
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.91 0.27 1.12 1.39
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $21.56 0.53 (c) (0.18) 0.35
Year Ended 12/31/2014 (f) $20.62 0.09 0.85 0.94
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.82 0.38 (1.96) (1.58)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $23.42 0.30 3.10 3.40
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $22.01 0.29 1.12 1.41
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $21.64 0.55 (c) (0.18) 0.37
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.65 0.21 1.78 1.99
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.33 per share.
(d) Class 1 shares commenced operations on June 25, 2014. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(e) Annualized.
(f) Class 2 shares commenced operations on June 25, 2014. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
288 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Balanced Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.35 (5.76%) 0.78% 0.75% 1.53% 81% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.90 14.66% 0.77% 0.74% 1.36% 63% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $23.46 6.64% 0.79% 0.79% 1.40% 65% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $22.00 1.90% 0.76% 0.76% 2.69% 89% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2014 (d) $21.59 4.71% 0.78% (e) 0.78% (e) 1.04% (e) 94% $3
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.06 (6.00%) 1.03% 1.00% 1.27% 81% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.66 14.42% 1.02% 0.99% 1.11% 63% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $23.30 6.34% 1.04% 1.04% 1.16% 65% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $21.91 1.62% 1.01% 1.01% 2.43% 89% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2014 (f) $21.56 4.56% 1.03% (e) 1.03% (e) 0.78% (e) 94% $3
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.24 (5.89%) 0.91% 0.87% 1.40% 81% $1,004,017
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.82 14.52% 0.91% 0.89% 1.20% 63% $1,165,032
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $23.42 6.41% 0.91% 0.91% 1.27% 65% $1,059,420
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $22.01 1.71% 0.94% 0.92% 2.51% 89% $964,446
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $21.64 10.13% 0.92% 0.92% 1.02% 94% $972,972
  
Prospectus 2019 289

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Disciplined Core
Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 291

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Disciplined Core
Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $48.64 0.72 (2.47) (1.75)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $39.11 0.77 8.76 9.53
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $36.19 0.62 2.30 2.92
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $35.87 0.57 (0.25) 0.32
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $31.09 0.48 4.30 4.78
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $47.74 0.60 (2.44) (1.84)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $38.48 0.65 8.61 9.26
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $35.69 0.52 2.27 2.79
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $35.47 0.47 (0.25) 0.22
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $30.82 0.38 4.27 4.65
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $48.16 0.65 (2.45) (1.80)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $38.77 0.71 8.68 9.39
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $35.92 0.57 2.28 2.85
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $35.65 0.52 (0.25) 0.27
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $30.94 0.42 4.29 4.71
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
292 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Disciplined Core
Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $46.89 (3.60%) 0.66% 0.66% 1.42% 74% $3,650,498
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $48.64 24.37% 0.68% 0.68% 1.79% 69% $4,219,124
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $39.11 8.07% 0.71% 0.71% 1.70% 80% $3,583,512
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $36.19 0.89% 0.73% 0.73% 1.58% 78% $2,941,017
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $35.87 15.38% 0.74% 0.74% 1.45% 76% $1,399,482
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $45.90 (3.85%) 0.91% 0.91% 1.21% 74% $28,322
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $47.74 24.07% 0.93% 0.93% 1.54% 69% $23,671
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $38.48 7.82% 0.96% 0.96% 1.45% 80% $18,402
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $35.69 0.62% 0.98% 0.98% 1.31% 78% $16,917
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $35.47 15.09% 1.00% 1.00% 1.17% 76% $9,531
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $46.36 (3.74%) 0.78% 0.78% 1.29% 74% $1,139,339
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $48.16 24.22% 0.81% 0.81% 1.67% 69% $1,328,984
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $38.77 7.94% 0.83% 0.83% 1.58% 80% $1,214,003
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $35.92 0.76% 0.85% 0.85% 1.44% 78% $1,280,983
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $35.65 15.22% 0.87% 0.87% 1.30% 76% $1,411,277
  
Prospectus 2019 293

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 295

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.30 0.85 (2.30) (1.45)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.12 0.89 2.29 3.18
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.46 0.78 1.88 2.66
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.99 0.73 (1.26) (0.53)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.16 0.62 1.21 1.83
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.81 0.75 (2.24) (1.49)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.74 0.82 2.25 3.07
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.17 0.72 1.85 2.57
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.74 0.65 (1.22) (0.57)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.98 0.57 1.19 1.76
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.05 0.79 (2.26) (1.47)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.92 0.86 2.27 3.13
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.31 0.75 1.86 2.61
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.86 0.68 (1.23) (0.55)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.07 0.60 1.19 1.79
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
296 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.85 (5.73%) 0.72% 0.72% 3.31% 87% $537,062
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.30 14.38% 0.73% 0.73% 3.82% 62% $832,599
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $22.12 13.67% 0.74% 0.74% 3.78% 64% $742,337
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.46 (2.65%) 0.71% 0.71% 3.65% 93% $657,752
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.99 10.08% 0.69% 0.69% 3.25% 86% $2,235,149
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.32 (6.01%) 0.97% 0.97% 2.99% 87% $61,764
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.81 14.12% 0.98% 0.98% 3.58% 62% $69,367
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.74 13.41% 0.99% 0.99% 3.52% 64% $59,186
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.17 (2.89%) 0.98% 0.98% 3.33% 93% $46,304
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.74 9.79% 0.94% 0.94% 3.01% 86% $44,491
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.58 (5.87%) 0.85% 0.84% 3.11% 87% $749,273
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.05 14.28% 0.86% 0.86% 3.71% 62% $939,770
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.92 13.52% 0.87% 0.87% 3.66% 64% $967,557
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.31 (2.77%) 0.86% 0.86% 3.45% 93% $982,852
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.86 9.91% 0.81% 0.81% 3.14% 86% $1,196,506
  
Prospectus 2019 297

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 299

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.04 0.14 (4.67) (4.53) (0.13) (0.13)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $14.29 0.05 6.73 6.78 (0.03) (0.03)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.61 0.03 0.67 0.70 (0.02) (0.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.36 0.06 (1.37) (1.31) (0.02) (0.42) (0.44)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.81 0.04 (0.39) (0.35) (0.03) (0.07) (0.10)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.84 0.06 (4.59) (4.53) (0.05) (0.05)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $14.17 0.01 6.66 6.67 (0.00) (e) (0.00) (e)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.53 0.02 0.63 0.65 (0.01) (0.01)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.30 0.03 (1.37) (1.34) (0.01) (0.42) (0.43)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.75 (0.00) (e) (0.37) (0.37) (0.01) (0.07) (0.08)
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.96 0.09 (4.63) (4.54) (0.09) (0.09)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $14.24 0.03 6.71 6.74 (0.02) (0.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.58 0.04 0.63 0.67 (0.01) (0.01)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.34 0.04 (1.36) (1.32) (0.02) (0.42) (0.44)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.79 0.02 (0.38) (0.36) (0.02) (0.07) (0.09)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interfund lending expense which is less than 0.01%.
(d) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
(e) Rounds to zero.
300 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Emerging Markets Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.38 (21.62%) 1.20% (c) 1.20% (c) 0.70% 41% $196,720
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.04 47.51% 1.25% (d) 1.24% (d) 0.31% 43% $457,065
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $14.29 5.13% 1.29% (d) 1.27% (d) 0.25% 74% $408,360
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.61 (8.83%) 1.28% 1.25% 0.40% 77% $974,542
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.36 (2.27%) 1.27% 1.25% 0.26% 83% $751,812
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.26 (21.78%) 1.47% (c) 1.46% (c) 0.33% 41% $42,531
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.84 47.10% 1.50% (d) 1.48% (d) 0.04% 43% $46,421
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $14.17 4.81% 1.54% (d) 1.52% (d) 0.14% 74% $21,331
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.53 (9.06%) 1.53% 1.50% 0.17% 77% $18,561
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.30 (2.40%) 1.52% 1.50% (0.01%) 83% $18,142
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.33 (21.73%) 1.34% (c) 1.33% (c) 0.44% 41% $173,529
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.96 47.34% 1.37% (d) 1.36% (d) 0.18% 43% $244,408
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $14.24 4.97% 1.42% (d) 1.40% (d) 0.26% 74% $183,897
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.58 (8.94%) 1.40% 1.38% 0.28% 77% $207,067
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.34 (2.33%) 1.40% 1.38% 0.15% 83% $263,988
  
Prospectus 2019 301

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 303

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.03 0.29 (0.74) (0.45) (0.37) (0.37)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.53 0.29 0.21 0.50
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.85 0.29 (0.36) (0.07) (0.25) (0.25)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.26 0.30 (0.87) (0.57) (0.84) (0.84)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.60 0.32 (0.21) 0.11 (0.45) (0.45)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $8.91 0.26 (0.73) (0.47) (0.35) (0.35)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.43 0.27 0.21 0.48
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.78 0.26 (0.36) (0.10) (0.25) (0.25)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.20 0.32 (0.90) (0.58) (0.84) (0.84)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.57 0.30 (0.22) 0.08 (0.45) (0.45)
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $8.98 0.28 (0.74) (0.46) (0.36) (0.36)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.49 0.28 0.21 0.49
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.83 0.27 (0.36) (0.09) (0.25) (0.25)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.25 0.33 (0.91) (0.58) (0.84) (0.84)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.59 0.31 (0.20) 0.11 (0.45) (0.45)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interest on collateral expense which is less than 0.01%.
304 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Global Strategic Income Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $8.21 (5.20%) 0.86% (c) 0.64% (c) 3.34% 86% $9
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.03 5.86% 0.85% 0.68% 3.33% 37% $10
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.53 (1.00%) 0.79% 0.70% 3.17% 162% $9
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.85 (6.08%) 0.75% 0.75% 2.88% 109% $9
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.26 0.89% 0.74% 0.73% 3.02% 68% $435,907
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $8.09 (5.51%) 1.10% (c) 0.89% (c) 3.08% 86% $9,512
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.91 5.69% 1.10% 0.93% 3.07% 37% $9,719
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.43 (1.35%) 1.05% 0.95% 2.92% 162% $8,812
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.78 (6.22%) 1.04% 0.98% 3.30% 109% $9,004
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.20 0.60% 1.00% 0.98% 2.79% 68% $9,375
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $8.16 (5.34%) 0.97% (c) 0.76% (c) 3.25% 86% $104,256
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.98 5.77% 0.98% 0.80% 3.18% 37% $131,599
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.49 (1.23%) 0.92% 0.83% 3.03% 162% $146,851
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.83 (6.17%) 0.91% 0.86% 3.42% 109% $179,329
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.25 0.89% 0.87% 0.85% 2.90% 68% $235,986
  
Prospectus 2019 305

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return is not annualized for periods of less than one year.
This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 307

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $1.00 0.02 0.00 (b) 0.02 (0.02) (0.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $1.00 0.01 0.00 (b) 0.01 (0.01) (0.01)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $1.00 0.01 0.00 (b) 0.01 (0.01) (0.01)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $1.00 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00) (b) (0.00) (b)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(b) Rounds to zero.
308 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Government Money Market Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $1.00 1.51% 0.46% 0.32% 1.77% $301,167
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $1.00 0.43% 0.50% 0.45% 0.42% $44,578
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $1.00 0.01% 0.49% 0.36% 0.01% $48,310
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $1.00 0.01% 0.49% 0.13% 0.01% $149,749
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $1.00 0.01% 0.48% 0.09% 0.01% $146,143
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $1.00 1.26% 0.72% 0.59% 1.36% $67,341
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $1.00 0.18% 0.75% 0.70% 0.17% $32,860
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $1.00 0.01% 0.74% 0.36% 0.01% $35,914
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $1.00 0.01% 0.75% 0.13% 0.01% $29,276
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $1.00 0.01% 0.73% 0.09% 0.01% $22,843
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $1.00 1.38% 0.60% 0.48% 1.36% $209,931
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $1.00 0.30% 0.62% 0.57% 0.29% $224,799
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $1.00 0.01% 0.62% 0.36% 0.01% $269,488
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $1.00 0.01% 0.62% 0.13% 0.01% $266,420
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $1.00 0.01% 0.60% 0.09% 0.01% $305,878
  
Prospectus 2019 309

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 311

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.84 0.35 (0.60) (0.25) (0.39) (0.39)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.79 0.36 0.08 0.44 (0.39) (0.39)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.46 0.35 0.40 0.75 (0.42) (0.42)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $6.96 0.36 (0.42) (0.06) (0.44) (0.44)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $7.15 0.38 (0.10) 0.28 (0.47) (0.47)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.78 0.33 (0.59) (0.26) (0.37) (0.37)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.74 0.32 0.09 0.41 (0.37) (0.37)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.41 0.34 0.39 0.73 (0.40) (0.40)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $6.91 0.35 (0.43) (0.08) (0.42) (0.42)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $7.11 0.37 (0.12) 0.25 (0.45) (0.45)
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.83 0.34 (0.60) (0.26) (0.38) (0.38)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.78 0.34 0.09 0.43 (0.38) (0.38)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.45 0.35 0.39 0.74 (0.41) (0.41)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $6.94 0.36 (0.42) (0.06) (0.43) (0.43)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $7.14 0.38 (0.12) 0.26 (0.46) (0.46)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
312 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – High Yield Bond Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.20 (3.86%) 0.77% 0.73% 5.31% 39% $11
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.84 6.53% 0.75% 0.75% 5.12% 51% $12
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.79 11.84% 0.75% 0.75% 5.32% 51% $3,135
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $6.46 (1.15%) 0.78% 0.75% 5.35% 47% $1,934
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $6.96 3.89% 0.76% 0.72% 5.43% 59% $629
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.15 (4.00%) 1.01% 0.98% 5.06% 39% $54,532
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.78 6.17% 1.01% 1.01% 4.76% 51% $59,098
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.74 11.65% 1.00% 1.00% 5.07% 51% $48,310
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $6.41 (1.41%) 1.02% 1.00% 5.06% 47% $38,807
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $6.91 3.51% 1.00% 0.97% 5.20% 59% $34,214
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.19 (4.00%) 0.89% 0.86% 5.18% 39% $279,157
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.83 6.41% 0.89% 0.89% 4.89% 51% $364,733
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.78 11.72% 0.88% 0.88% 5.20% 51% $400,844
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $6.45 (1.14%) 0.90% 0.87% 5.17% 47% $420,576
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $6.94 3.62% 0.87% 0.85% 5.34% 59% $514,924
  
Prospectus 2019 313

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 315

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $7.56 0.37 (0.65) (0.28) (0.37) (0.37)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $7.56 0.35 0.14 0.49 (0.49) (0.49)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.07 0.40 0.41 0.81 (0.93) (0.39) (1.32)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.06 0.43 (0.49) (0.06) (0.85) (0.08) (0.93)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $8.71 0.45 (0.10) 0.35
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $7.51 0.35 (0.64) (0.29) (0.35) (0.35)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $7.52 0.33 0.13 0.46 (0.47) (0.47)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.02 0.38 0.42 0.80 (0.91) (0.39) (1.30)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.01 0.40 (0.47) (0.07) (0.84) (0.08) (0.92)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $8.69 0.44 (0.12) 0.32
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $7.60 0.36 (0.65) (0.29) (0.36) (0.36)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $7.60 0.35 0.13 0.48 (0.48) (0.48)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.10 0.38 0.43 0.81 (0.92) (0.39) (1.31)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.08 0.42 (0.48) (0.06) (0.84) (0.08) (0.92)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $8.75 0.45 (0.12) 0.33
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
316 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.91 (3.75%) 0.74% 0.73% 5.05% 42% $138,357
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $7.56 6.56% 0.76% 0.76% 4.66% 50% $132,262
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $7.56 10.93% 0.74% 0.74% 4.99% 48% $112,544
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.07 (1.00%) 0.73% 0.72% 4.85% 52% $328,741
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.06 4.02% 0.71% 0.71% 5.04% 59% $843,225
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.87 (3.90%) 0.99% 0.98% 4.79% 42% $32,893
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $7.51 6.20% 1.01% 1.01% 4.41% 50% $36,579
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $7.52 10.80% 0.98% 0.98% 4.72% 48% $33,095
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.02 (1.21%) 0.99% 0.98% 4.62% 52% $111,563
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.01 3.68% 0.96% 0.90% 4.86% 59% $128,476
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.95 (3.86%) 0.87% 0.85% 4.90% 42% $146,078
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $7.60 6.39% 0.88% 0.88% 4.55% 50% $199,852
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $7.60 10.86% 0.87% 0.87% 4.86% 48% $224,303
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.10 (1.02%) 0.86% 0.85% 4.74% 52% $154,637
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.08 3.77% 0.84% 0.84% 4.92% 59% $186,448
  
Prospectus 2019 317

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 319

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.36 0.33 (0.29) 0.04 (0.25) (0.07) (0.32)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.35 0.28 0.12 0.40 (0.30) (0.09) (0.39)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.07 0.30 0.17 0.47 (0.18) (0.01) (0.19)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.22 0.25 (0.22) 0.03 (0.15) (0.03) (0.18)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.01 0.28 0.26 0.54 (0.28) (0.05) (0.33)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.32 0.30 (0.29) 0.01 (0.22) (0.07) (0.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.31 0.25 0.12 0.37 (0.27) (0.09) (0.36)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.03 0.27 0.18 0.45 (0.16) (0.01) (0.17)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.19 0.22 (0.23) (0.01) (0.12) (0.03) (0.15)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.98 0.26 0.26 0.52 (0.26) (0.05) (0.31)
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.37 0.31 (0.29) 0.02 (0.23) (0.07) (0.30)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.36 0.27 0.11 0.38 (0.28) (0.09) (0.37)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.08 0.28 0.18 0.46 (0.17) (0.01) (0.18)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.23 0.24 (0.22) 0.02 (0.14) (0.03) (0.17)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.02 0.27 0.26 0.53 (0.27) (0.05) (0.32)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interest on collateral expense which is less than 0.01%.
320 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Intermediate Bond Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.08 0.40% 0.49% (c) 0.49% (c) 3.21% 222% $3,919,654
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.36 3.86% 0.51% 0.51% 2.69% 396% $4,242,173
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.35 4.68% 0.54% 0.54% 2.86% 400% $4,384,210
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.07 0.30% 0.54% 0.54% 2.42% 477% $4,413,919
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.22 5.47% 0.55% 0.55% 2.78% 271% $2,042,053
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.04 0.14% 0.74% (c) 0.74% (c) 2.96% 222% $37,454
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.32 3.61% 0.76% 0.76% 2.44% 396% $37,866
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.31 4.43% 0.79% 0.79% 2.60% 400% $34,167
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.03 (0.05%) 0.80% 0.80% 2.18% 477% $24,967
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.19 5.20% 0.80% 0.80% 2.53% 271% $23,942
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.09 0.27% 0.61% (c) 0.61% (c) 3.07% 222% $518,931
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.37 3.73% 0.64% 0.64% 2.56% 396% $617,144
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.36 4.54% 0.66% 0.66% 2.74% 400% $688,625
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.08 0.17% 0.67% 0.67% 2.30% 477% $750,722
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.23 5.32% 0.68% 0.68% 2.66% 271% $886,140
  
Prospectus 2019 321

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 323

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.76 0.03 (0.69) (0.66)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $13.08 0.05 3.63 3.68
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.92 0.09 0.07 0.16
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.84 0.03 1.05 1.08
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.37 0.06 1.41 1.47
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.44 (0.02) (0.66) (0.68)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.86 0.02 3.56 3.58
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.73 0.04 0.09 0.13
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.70 0.00 (c) 1.03 1.03
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.27 0.04 1.39 1.43
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.62 0.01 (0.69) (0.68)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.99 0.04 3.59 3.63
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.84 0.07 0.08 0.15
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.78 0.01 1.05 1.06
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.33 0.05 1.40 1.45
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Rounds to zero.
324 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.10 (3.94%) 0.74% 0.74% 0.16% 27% $1,312,513
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.76 28.14% 0.77% 0.76% 0.36% 35% $1,408,054
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.08 1.24% 0.80% 0.77% 0.69% 54% $1,267,016
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.92 9.12% 0.80% 0.79% 0.23% 56% $1,198,464
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.84 14.18% 0.80% 0.79% 0.59% 71% $1,003,539
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.76 (4.14%) 0.99% 0.99% (0.09%) 27% $108,782
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.44 27.84% 1.02% 1.01% 0.11% 35% $121,608
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.86 1.02% 1.05% 1.01% 0.35% 54% $108,824
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.73 8.80% 1.05% 1.04% (0.02%) 56% $32,835
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.70 13.92% 1.05% 1.04% 0.36% 71% $18,783
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.94 (4.09%) 0.86% 0.86% 0.04% 27% $196,874
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.62 27.94% 0.89% 0.88% 0.23% 35% $232,010
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.99 1.17% 0.92% 0.89% 0.55% 54% $207,757
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.84 9.00% 0.92% 0.92% 0.10% 56% $252,250
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.78 14.04% 0.93% 0.91% 0.47% 71% $227,180
  
Prospectus 2019 325

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 327

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.72 0.42 (1.39) (0.97)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $17.06 0.33 3.33 3.66
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.29 0.34 1.43 1.77
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.14 0.34 (c) (0.19) 0.15
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.36 0.23 1.55 1.78
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.40 0.34 (1.35) (1.01)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.83 0.28 3.29 3.57
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.12 0.26 1.45 1.71
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.01 0.29 (d) (0.18) 0.11
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.27 0.20 1.54 1.74
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.57 0.37 (1.36) (0.99)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.96 0.30 3.31 3.61
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.21 0.28 1.47 1.75
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.08 0.32 (c) (0.19) 0.13
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.32 0.22 1.54 1.76
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.06 per share.
(d) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.05 per share.
328 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Large Cap Index Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.75 (4.68%) 0.28% 0.28% 1.94% 3% $332,816
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.72 21.45% 0.29% 0.29% 1.75% 2% $203,887
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.06 11.58% 0.32% 0.31% 2.14% 5% $31,465
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.29 0.99% 0.37% 0.33% 2.21% 4% $3
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.14 13.32% 0.31% 0.31% 1.70% 3% $3
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.39 (4.95%) 0.53% 0.53% 1.61% 3% $10,146
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.40 21.21% 0.55% 0.55% 1.50% 2% $11,777
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.83 11.31% 0.56% 0.56% 1.65% 5% $11,332
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.12 0.73% 0.58% 0.58% 1.94% 4% $11,794
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.01 13.11% 0.56% 0.56% 1.46% 3% $15,166
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.58 (4.81%) 0.40% 0.40% 1.75% 3% $442,813
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.57 21.28% 0.42% 0.42% 1.62% 2% $452,967
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.96 11.51% 0.43% 0.43% 1.78% 5% $347,922
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.21 0.86% 0.46% 0.45% 2.10% 4% $304,143
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.08 13.21% 0.44% 0.44% 1.59% 3% $290,301
  
Prospectus 2019 329

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 331

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.79 0.03 (1.26) (1.23)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.97 0.03 4.79 4.82
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.50 0.03 0.44 0.47
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.41 0.14 (c) 0.95 1.09
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.07 (0.02) 1.36 1.34
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.32 (0.03) (1.23) (1.26)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.64 (0.03) 4.71 4.68
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.23 0.02 0.39 0.41
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.20 0.23 (e) 0.80 1.03
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.92 (0.05) 1.33 1.28
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.54 (0.00) (f) (1.24) (1.24)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.80 0.00 (f) 4.74 4.74
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.36 0.05 0.39 0.44
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.30 0.25 (g) 0.81 1.06
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.99 (0.03) 1.34 1.31
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.14 per share.
(d) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
(e) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.27 per share.
(f) Rounds to zero.
(g) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.28 per share.
332 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.56 (4.77%) 0.89% 0.74% 0.12% 150% $183,546
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.79 22.98% 0.91% 0.74% 0.14% 115% $198,617
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.97 2.29% 0.92% 0.76% 0.16% 150% $158,566
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.50 5.62% 0.94% 0.84% 0.67% 109% $18,161
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.41 7.41% 0.91% (d) 0.88% (d) (0.09%) 96% $81,262
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.06 (4.98%) 1.14% 0.99% (0.12%) 150% $19,966
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.32 22.68% 1.16% 0.99% (0.11%) 115% $18,148
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.64 2.03% 1.18% 1.01% 0.11% 150% $12,910
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.23 5.36% 1.20% 1.05% 1.11% 109% $13,920
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.20 7.14% 1.17% (d) 1.13% (d) (0.30%) 96% $10,439
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.30 (4.86%) 1.01% 0.86% (0.01%) 150% $227,630
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.54 22.79% 1.03% 0.86% 0.01% 115% $268,941
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.80 2.16% 1.05% 0.88% 0.24% 150% $247,151
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.36 5.49% 1.07% 0.92% 1.24% 109% $279,919
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.30 7.28% 1.04% (d) 1.00% (d) (0.18%) 96% $286,989
  
Prospectus 2019 333

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 335

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.71 0.29 (2.84) (2.55) (0.42) (0.42)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.58 0.19 3.23 3.42 (0.29) (0.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.60 0.22 (1.04) (0.82) (0.20) (0.20)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.06 0.13 0.55 0.68 (0.14) (0.14)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.53 0.21 (1.43) (1.22) (0.25) (0.25)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.62 0.26 (2.83) (2.57) (0.38) (0.38)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.52 0.16 3.20 3.36 (0.26) (0.26)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.55 0.22 (1.07) (0.85) (0.18) (0.18)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.02 0.08 0.56 0.64 (0.11) (0.11)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.50 0.17 (1.42) (1.25) (0.23) (0.23)
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.68 0.28 (2.84) (2.56) (0.40) (0.40)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.56 0.18 3.22 3.40 (0.28) (0.28)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.58 0.21 (1.04) (0.83) (0.19) (0.19)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.05 0.11 0.55 0.66 (0.13) (0.13)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.52 0.19 (1.42) (1.23) (0.24) (0.24)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interest on collateral expense which is less than 0.01%.
(d) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
336 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Overseas Core Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $12.74 (16.63%) 0.89% (c) 0.89% (c) 1.96% 113% $706,469
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $15.71 27.52% 0.91% 0.90% 1.38% 41% $792,289
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.58 (6.00%) 0.93% (d) 0.89% (d) 1.76% 57% $604,967
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.60 5.20% 1.01% 0.93% 0.91% 57% $11,981
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.06 (8.47%) 0.98% 0.98% 1.51% 53% $13,471
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $12.67 (16.81%) 1.14% (c) 1.14% (c) 1.75% 113% $51,287
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $15.62 27.18% 1.16% 1.15% 1.13% 41% $67,097
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.52 (6.27%) 1.17% (d) 1.14% (d) 1.77% 57% $57,342
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.55 4.94% 1.28% 1.18% 0.61% 57% $16,240
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.02 (8.72%) 1.24% 1.23% 1.23% 53% $7,797
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $12.72 (16.70%) 1.02% (c) 1.02% (c) 1.88% 113% $228,786
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $15.68 27.37% 1.04% 1.03% 1.26% 41% $312,588
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.56 (6.10%) 1.07% (d) 1.03% (d) 1.66% 57% $280,282
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.58 5.03% 1.14% 1.05% 0.79% 57% $314,648
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.05 (8.56%) 1.11% 1.10% 1.39% 53% $325,451
  
Prospectus 2019 337

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Large Cap
Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 339

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Large Cap
Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.87 0.40 (3.44) (3.04)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.56 0.30 4.01 4.31
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.14 0.26 3.16 3.42
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.02 0.27 (1.15) (0.88)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.17 0.21 1.64 1.85
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.42 0.33 (3.37) (3.04)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.23 0.24 3.95 4.19
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.91 0.22 3.10 3.32
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.83 0.23 (1.15) (0.92)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.03 0.17 1.63 1.80
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.62 0.36 (3.39) (3.03)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.38 0.27 3.97 4.24
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.01 0.24 3.13 3.37
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.91 0.25 (1.15) (0.90)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.08 0.19 1.64 1.83
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
340 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Large Cap
Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.83 (12.22%) 0.73% 0.73% 1.60% 16% $1,102,434
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.87 20.96% 0.76% 0.75% 1.35% 8% $1,322,918
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.56 19.95% 0.82% 0.77% 1.49% 26% $1,046,757
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.14 (4.88%) 0.81% 0.76% 1.54% 13% $779,920
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.02 11.44% 0.81% 0.76% 1.26% 7% $1,000,413
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.38 (12.45%) 0.98% 0.98% 1.36% 16% $24,610
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.42 20.71% 1.01% 1.00% 1.10% 8% $22,501
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.23 19.63% 1.07% 1.02% 1.25% 26% $15,026
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $16.91 (5.16%) 1.06% 1.02% 1.32% 13% $11,918
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.83 11.23% 1.07% 1.01% 1.02% 7% $11,006
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.59 (12.31%) 0.85% 0.85% 1.48% 16% $48,804
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.62 20.81% 0.89% 0.88% 1.22% 8% $56,053
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.38 19.81% 0.95% 0.89% 1.39% 26% $45,889
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.01 (5.02%) 0.94% 0.89% 1.42% 13% $47,307
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.91 11.38% 0.94% 0.88% 1.13% 7% $69,726
  
Prospectus 2019 341

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 343

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.72 0.20 (3.22) (3.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.01 0.25 2.46 2.71
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.53 0.23 2.25 2.48
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.45 0.07 (0.99) (0.92)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.42 0.10 1.93 2.03
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.35 0.14 (3.16) (3.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.73 0.20 2.42 2.62
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.33 0.14 2.26 2.40
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.26 0.07 (1.00) (0.93)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.29 0.09 1.88 1.97
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.53 0.16 (3.18) (3.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.87 0.22 2.44 2.66
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.43 0.16 2.28 2.44
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.34 0.09 (1.00) (0.91)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.35 0.09 1.90 1.99
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
344 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.70 (13.29%) 0.89% 0.85% 0.87% 98% $170,998
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.72 13.54% 0.91% 0.87% 1.20% 72% $191,281
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.01 14.15% 0.93% 0.90% 1.25% 57% $162,796
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.53 (4.99%) 0.91% (c) 0.90% (c) 0.38% 43% $12,613
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.45 12.36% 0.89% 0.88% 0.60% 46% $378,231
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.33 (13.51%) 1.14% 1.10% 0.62% 98% $25,687
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.35 13.28% 1.16% 1.12% 0.97% 72% $28,989
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.73 13.85% 1.19% 1.16% 0.79% 57% $22,379
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.33 (5.09%) 1.22% (c) 1.17% (c) 0.40% 43% $17,179
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.26 12.09% 1.15% 1.14% 0.50% 46% $14,802
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.51 (13.40%) 1.01% 0.97% 0.73% 98% $61,387
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.53 13.39% 1.04% 0.99% 1.05% 72% $85,853
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.87 14.00% 1.07% 1.03% 0.88% 57% $92,137
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.43 (4.96%) 1.09% (c) 1.04% (c) 0.50% 43% $97,276
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.34 12.17% 1.02% 1.01% 0.54% 46% $122,343
  
Prospectus 2019 345

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Small Cap
Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 347

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Small Cap
Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.31 0.11 (3.17) (3.06)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.65 (0.02) 2.68 2.66
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.00 0.00 (c) 2.65 2.65
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.60 0.00 (c) (0.60) (0.60)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.48 0.08 1.04 1.12
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.87 0.05 (3.11) (3.06)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.30 0.04 2.53 2.57
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.74 (0.04) 2.60 2.56
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.38 (0.04) (0.60) (0.64)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.32 0.02 1.04 1.06
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.10 0.08 (3.14) (3.06)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.48 0.06 2.56 2.62
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.87 (0.02) 2.63 2.61
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.50 (0.02) (0.61) (0.63)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.40 0.05 1.05 1.10
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Rounds to zero.
(d) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
348 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Select Small Cap
Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.25 (12.59%) 1.04% 0.88% 0.43% 13% $3,163
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.31 12.29% 1.02% 0.89% (0.09%) 23% $4,111
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.65 13.95% 1.00% (d) 0.91% (d) 0.02% 32% $16,013
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.00 (3.06%) 0.99% 0.91% 0.01% 27% $60,663
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.60 6.06% 0.98% 0.93% 0.44% 27% $70,315
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.81 (12.82%) 1.29% 1.13% 0.20% 13% $24,086
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $23.87 12.06% 1.29% 1.14% 0.19% 23% $28,050
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.30 13.66% 1.27% (d) 1.16% (d) (0.22%) 32% $25,233
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.74 (3.30%) 1.24% 1.16% (0.22%) 27% $22,315
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.38 5.79% 1.23% 1.18% 0.13% 27% $22,376
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.04 (12.70%) 1.17% 1.01% 0.33% 13% $51,927
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.10 12.20% 1.16% 1.02% 0.25% 23% $67,684
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.48 13.83% 1.14% (d) 1.03% (d) (0.10%) 32% $71,355
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.87 (3.23%) 1.11% 1.04% (0.11%) 27% $73,318
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.50 5.98% 1.11% 1.05% 0.28% 27% $87,610
  
Prospectus 2019 349

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – U.S. Government
Mortgage Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 351

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – U.S. Government
Mortgage Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.35 0.30 (0.11) 0.19 (0.30) (0.01) (0.31)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.32 0.29 0.05 0.34 (0.30) (0.01) (0.31)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.42 0.25 0.03 0.28 (0.30) (0.08) (0.38)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.62 0.26 (0.12) 0.14 (0.32) (0.02) (0.34)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.22 0.26 0.34 0.60 (0.20) (0.20)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.32 0.27 (0.11) 0.16 (0.27) (0.01) (0.28)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.30 0.26 0.05 0.31 (0.28) (0.01) (0.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.40 0.22 0.04 0.26 (0.28) (0.08) (0.36)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.59 0.23 (0.10) 0.13 (0.30) (0.02) (0.32)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.20 0.23 0.33 0.56 (0.17) (0.17)
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.35 0.28 (0.11) 0.17 (0.28) (0.01) (0.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.32 0.27 0.06 0.33 (0.29) (0.01) (0.30)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.42 0.24 0.03 0.27 (0.29) (0.08) (0.37)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.62 0.25 (0.12) 0.13 (0.31) (0.02) (0.33)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.22 0.25 0.34 0.59 (0.19) (0.19)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interest on collateral expense which is less than 0.01%.
352 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – U.S. Government
Mortgage Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.23 1.85% 0.46% (c) 0.46% (c) 2.91% 286% $847,752
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.35 3.34% 0.48% 0.48% 2.77% 320% $898,922
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.32 2.71% 0.50% 0.50% 2.38% 333% $1,031,382
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.42 1.34% 0.50% 0.50% 2.45% 356% $1,247,913
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.62 5.92% 0.49% 0.49% 2.48% 300% $1,652,306
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.20 1.60% 0.71% (c) 0.71% (c) 2.66% 286% $22,932
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.32 2.99% 0.73% 0.73% 2.52% 320% $24,782
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.30 2.45% 0.75% 0.75% 2.13% 333% $25,112
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.40 1.19% 0.75% 0.75% 2.20% 356% $24,470
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.59 5.57% 0.74% 0.74% 2.23% 300% $25,273
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.23 1.72% 0.58% (c) 0.58% (c) 2.78% 286% $99,204
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.35 3.22% 0.61% 0.61% 2.65% 320% $120,079
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.32 2.58% 0.62% 0.62% 2.25% 333% $139,813
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.42 1.21% 0.62% 0.62% 2.33% 356% $151,492
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.62 5.78% 0.62% 0.62% 2.35% 300% $177,268
  
Prospectus 2019 353

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 355

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.47 0.08 (0.10) (0.02) (0.03) (0.03)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.51 0.06 0.08 0.14 (0.13) (0.05) (0.18)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $5.07 0.01 0.43 0.44
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.49 (0.07) (0.01) (d) (0.08) (3.51) (0.83) (4.34)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $8.74 0.10 0.65 0.75
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.37 0.06 (0.10) (0.04) (0.03) (0.03)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.41 0.05 0.08 0.13 (0.12) (0.05) (0.17)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $4.99 0.00 (f) 0.42 0.42
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.41 (0.02) (0.08) (d) (0.10) (3.49) (0.83) (4.32)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $8.68 0.07 0.66 0.73
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.45 0.07 (0.10) (0.03) (0.03) (0.03)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.49 0.05 0.08 0.13 (0.12) (0.05) (0.17)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $5.06 0.00 (f) 0.43 0.43
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.48 (0.02) (0.07) (d) (0.09) (3.50) (0.83) (4.33)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $8.73 0.09 0.66 0.75
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interest on collateral expense which is less than 0.01%.
(d) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
(e) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
(f) Rounds to zero.
356 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.42 (0.33%) 0.71% (c) 0.61% (c) 1.41% 118% $11
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.47 2.66% 0.71% 0.62% 1.09% 99% $11
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $5.51 8.68% 0.68% 0.64% 0.18% 72% $11
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $5.07 (1.38%) 0.58% 0.58% (0.77%) 89% $11
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.49 8.58% 0.57% (e) 0.57% (e) 1.14% 94% $1,296,797
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.30 (0.71%) 0.95% (c) 0.86% (c) 1.14% 118% $17,272
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.37 2.46% 0.97% 0.87% 0.86% 99% $13,986
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $5.41 8.42% 0.93% 0.89% (0.07%) 72% $10,801
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $4.99 (1.64%) 0.89% 0.86% (0.28%) 89% $7,898
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.41 8.41% 0.82% (e) 0.82% (e) 0.81% 94% $7,022
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.39 (0.51%) 0.82% (c) 0.74% (c) 1.28% 118% $96,659
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.45 2.54% 0.84% 0.75% 0.97% 99% $111,829
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $5.49 8.50% 0.80% 0.77% 0.05% 72% $123,299
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $5.06 (1.49%) 0.76% 0.74% (0.23%) 89% $135,276
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.48 8.59% 0.69% (e) 0.69% (e) 1.00% 94% $166,432
  
Prospectus 2019 357

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 359

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.48 0.24 (1.88) (1.64)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $17.00 0.20 3.28 3.48
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.49 0.22 1.29 1.51
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.40 0.64 (c) (0.55) 0.09
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.76 0.24 1.40 1.64
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.12 0.18 (1.83) (1.65)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.75 0.15 3.22 3.37
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.29 0.18 1.28 1.46
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.24 0.65 (d) (0.60) 0.05
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.66 0.20 1.38 1.58
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.29 0.21 (1.85) (1.64)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.87 0.18 3.24 3.42
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.38 0.20 1.29 1.49
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.31 0.62 (c) (0.55) 0.07
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.70 0.22 1.39 1.61
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.39 per share.
(d) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.43 per share.
360 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $18.84 (8.01%) 0.70% 0.69% 1.13% 55% $1,775,821
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.48 20.47% 0.74% 0.74% 1.08% 51% $1,934,400
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.00 9.75% 0.79% 0.77% 1.39% 115% $1,670,305
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.49 0.58% 0.82% 0.77% 4.14% 67% $1,691,555
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.40 11.92% 0.82% 0.77% 1.65% 49% $1,901,583
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $18.47 (8.20%) 0.95% 0.94% 0.88% 55% $9,255
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.12 20.12% 0.99% 0.99% 0.83% 51% $10,507
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.75 9.55% 1.04% 1.02% 1.13% 115% $8,549
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.29 0.33% 1.07% 1.02% 4.22% 67% $8,239
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.24 11.57% 1.07% 1.02% 1.40% 49% $6,188
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $18.65 (8.08%) 0.83% 0.82% 1.00% 55% $31,196
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.29 20.27% 0.87% 0.87% 0.96% 51% $42,254
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.87 9.69% 0.92% 0.90% 1.27% 115% $42,830
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.38 0.46% 0.95% 0.89% 4.04% 67% $46,975
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.31 11.75% 0.95% 0.90% 1.52% 49% $54,159
  
Prospectus 2019 361

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 363

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.27 0.27 (2.89) (2.62)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.68 0.17 3.42 3.59
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.78 0.15 3.75 3.90
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.73 0.14 (0.09) (c) 0.05
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.69 0.19 1.85 2.04
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.79 0.20 (2.83) (2.63)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.32 0.11 3.36 3.47
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.52 0.10 3.70 3.80
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.52 0.12 (0.12) (c) 0.00 (d)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.55 0.17 1.80 1.97
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.05 0.23 (2.86) (2.63)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.51 0.14 3.40 3.54
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.66 0.12 3.73 3.85
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.63 0.14 (0.11) (c) 0.03
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.63 0.18 1.82 2.00
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
(d) Rounds to zero.
364 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.65 (9.97%) 0.79% 0.79% 1.00% 36% $442,931
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.27 15.83% 0.82% 0.82% 0.69% 41% $487,245
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $22.68 20.77% 0.88% 0.86% 0.71% 46% $409,756
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.78 0.27% 0.91% 0.89% 0.71% 53% $176,428
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.73 12.22% 0.90% 0.89% 1.10% 45% $814,123
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.16 (10.20%) 1.04% 1.04% 0.76% 36% $40,488
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.79 15.55% 1.07% 1.07% 0.46% 41% $40,477
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $22.32 20.52% 1.14% 1.11% 0.49% 46% $26,182
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.52 0.00% (d) 1.18% 1.14% 0.63% 53% $14,431
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.52 11.90% 1.15% 1.15% 0.97% 45% $9,040
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.42 (10.10%) 0.92% 0.92% 0.88% 36% $53,581
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.05 15.73% 0.95% 0.95% 0.57% 41% $57,946
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $22.51 20.63% 1.01% 0.99% 0.61% 46% $44,076
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.66 0.16% 1.05% 1.02% 0.73% 53% $27,637
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.63 12.03% 1.02% 1.02% 1.04% 45% $22,804
  
Prospectus 2019 365

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 367

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Increase
from
payment
by affiliate
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $28.01 0.25 (4.02) (3.77)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.14 0.19 1.68 1.87
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.81 0.09 5.24 0.00 (c) 5.33
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $22.92 0.19 (2.30) (2.11)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $22.43 0.11 0.38 0.49
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $27.48 0.18 (3.95) (3.77)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.71 0.13 1.64 1.77
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.51 0.04 5.16 0.00 (c) 5.20
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $22.65 0.14 (2.28) (2.14)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $22.22 0.06 0.37 0.43
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $27.73 0.21 (3.98) (3.77)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $25.91 0.15 1.67 1.82
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.64 0.06 5.21 0.00 (c) 5.27
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $22.77 0.17 (2.30) (2.13)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $22.31 0.08 0.38 0.46
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Rounds to zero.
(d) The Fund received a payment from an affiliate. Had the Fund not received this payment, the total return would have been lower by 0.01%.
368 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.24 (13.46%) 0.88% 0.88% 0.88% 60% $574,250
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $28.01 7.16% 0.91% 0.91% 0.72% 115% $686,191
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $26.14 25.61% (d) 1.02% 0.93% 0.40% 60% $712,682
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.81 (9.21%) 1.07% 0.93% 0.84% 48% $985,530
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $22.92 2.18% 1.05% 0.88% 0.50% 83% $1,469,779
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.71 (13.72%) 1.13% 1.13% 0.65% 60% $6,673
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $27.48 6.88% 1.16% 1.16% 0.49% 115% $6,814
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $25.71 25.35% (d) 1.25% 1.18% 0.17% 60% $5,749
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.51 (9.45%) 1.32% 1.18% 0.65% 48% $4,017
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $22.65 1.94% 1.30% 1.13% 0.25% 83% $3,845
Class 3
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.96 (13.60%) 1.01% 1.00% 0.74% 60% $89,379
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $27.73 7.02% 1.04% 1.04% 0.59% 115% $120,392
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $25.91 25.53% (d) 1.13% 1.05% 0.29% 60% $134,434
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.64 (9.36%) 1.19% 1.05% 0.77% 48% $129,360
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $22.77 2.06% 1.17% 1.01% 0.37% 83% $171,426
  
Prospectus 2019 369

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio Funds
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Fund is generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies and participants in Qualified Plans. Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about each Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which each Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
S-6466-99 AR (05/19)


Table of Contents
Supplement dated May 1, 2019
to the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information (SAI) of the following fund (the Fund):
Fund Prospectuses Dated SAI Dated
Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II    
 Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) - Limited Duration Credit Fund 5/1/2019 5/1/2019
Timothy Doubek, co-portfolio manager of the Fund as reflected in the Fund's Prospectus and SAI, is on a medical leave of absence from Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and is currently anticipated to return in May 2019. Tom Murphy and Royce Wilson will continue to serve as co-portfolio managers of the Fund. Until Mr. Doubek's return in May 2019, when this Supplement automatically expires, the revisions described in this Supplement are hereby made to the Fund's Prospectus and SAI.
The information under the subsection "Fund Management" in the "Summary of the Fund" or "Summary of Columbia VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund" section of the Fund's Prospectus is hereby superseded and replaced with the following:
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tom Murphy, CFA   Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Investment Grade Credit   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Timothy Doubek, CFA*   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Royce D. Wilson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
* Mr. Doubek is on a medical leave of absence from Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and is currently anticipated to return in May 2019.
The rest of the section remains the same.
The information under the subsection "Primary Service Providers – Portfolio Managers" in the "More Information About the Fund" section or under the caption "Portfolio Management - Portfolio Managers" in the "More Information About Columbia VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund" section of the Fund's Prospectus is hereby superseded and replaced with the following:
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tom Murphy, CFA   Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Investment Grade Credit   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Timothy Doubek, CFA*   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Royce D. Wilson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
* Mr. Doubek is on a medical leave of absence from Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and is currently anticipated to return in May 2019.
Mr. Murphy joined the Investment Manager in 2002. Mr. Murphy began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Doubek joined the Investment Manager in 2001. Mr. Doubek began his investment career in 1987 and earned an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Wilson joined the Investment Manager in 2007. Mr. Wilson began his investment career in 2002 and earned a B.B.A. from Western Connecticut State University.
The rest of the section remains the same.
S-6679-4 A (5/19)

 

The information for the Fund under the subsection "The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Portfolio Managers" in the "Investment Management and Other Services" section of the Fund's SAI is hereby superseded and replaced with the following:
    
    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
Information is as of December 31, 2018, unless otherwise noted
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund Tom Murphy 12 RICs
22 PIVs
26 other accounts
$3.24 billion
$16.97 billion
$4.56 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Tim Doubek (1) 11 RICs
25 other accounts
$3.19 billion
$4.28 billion
None
Royce Wilson 1 RIC
4 other accounts
$553.44 million
$0.47 million
None
* RIC refers to a Registered Investment Company; PIV refers to a Pooled Investment Vehicle.
** Number of accounts for which the advisory fee paid is based in part or wholly on performance and the aggregate net assets in those accounts.
(1) Mr. Doubek is on a medical leave of absence from Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, and is currently anticipated to return in May 2019.
The rest of the section remains the same.
Shareholders should retain this Supplement for future reference.
2
S-6679-4 A (5/19)


Table of Contents
Supplement dated May 1, 2019
to the Prospectus of the following fund (the Fund):
Fund Prospectus Dated
Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II  
 Variable Portfolio - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 5/1/2019
 On April 18, 2019, the Fund's Board of Trustees approved certain changes to the Fund's subadvisers. As a result, effective on or about May 20, 2019 (the Effective Date), Scout Investments, Inc. (Scout) assumes day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund's portfolio as a subadviser to the Fund. Accordingly, on the Effective Date, the changes described in this Supplement are hereby made to the Fund's prospectus.
On the Effective Date, the information under the heading “Fund Management” in the “Summary of VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund” section of the prospectus is hereby revised to add the following:
Subadviser: Scout Investments, Inc. (Scout)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
James McBride, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Scout   Lead Portfolio Manager   May 2019
Timothy Miller, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Scout   Co-Portfolio Manager   May 2019
The rest of the section remains the same.
On the Effective Date, the information in the second paragraph under the heading “Principal Investment Strategies” in the “More Information About VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund” section is hereby superseded and replaced with the following information:
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadvisers: BMO Asset Management Corp. (BMO), Scout Investments, Inc. (Scout), and Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap) (BMO, Scout, and WellsCap, each a Subadviser and collectively, the Subadvisers). The Subadvisers provide day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund. The Investment Manager, subject to the oversight of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, decides the proportion of the Fund’s assets to be managed by each Subadviser, and may change these proportions at any time. Each Subadviser acts independently of any other Subadviser and uses its own methodology for selecting investments. Each Subadviser employs an active investment strategy. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
On the Effective Date, the information under the heading “Principal Investment Strategies” in the “More Information About VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund” section of the prospectus is hereby revised to add the following:
Scout
Scout invests primarily in equity securities (generally common stocks) of small-capitalization companies located in the United States. Scout normally invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities that are selected based upon Scout’s perception of a stock’s above-average potential for long-term growth of capital.
Scout searches for companies that it believes are well positioned to benefit from the emergence of long-term catalysts for growth. The growth catalysts identified by Scout are long-term and secular (i.e., exhibiting relatively consistent expansion over a long period). Following the identification of well-positioned companies, Scout estimates the fair value of each candidate by assessing margin structure, growth rate, debt level and other measures which Scout believes influence relative stock valuations. Scout’s overall company analysis includes the assessment of the liquidity of each security, sustainability of profit margins, barriers to entry, company management and free cash flow. Scout may sell a security when it perceives stretched valuations and/or deteriorating fundamentals, including significant management changes or a misalignment with long-term trends, or for other reasons.
The rest of the section remains the same.
On the Effective Date, the information under the subsection "Portfolio Management" in the "More Information About VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund" section of the prospectus is revised to add the following information after the first paragraph:
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the adoption of the investment subadvisory agreement with Scout will be available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ending June 30, 2019.
The rest of the section remains the same.
S-6546-120 A (5/19)

 

On the Effective Date, the information under the heading “Subadvisers” in the “More Information About VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund” section is hereby revised to add the following:
Scout, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2019, is located at 1201 Walnut Street, 21st Floor, Kansas City, MO 64106. Scout, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. Scout is a registered investment adviser and was formed in 2001. Scout offers an array of investment strategies (including equity strategies and fixed income strategies), as well as customized strategies and socially responsible portfolios.
The rest of the section remains the same.
On the Effective Date, the information under the heading “Portfolio Managers” in the “More Information About VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund” section is hereby revised to add the following:
Subadviser: Scout Investments, Inc. (Scout)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
James McBride, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Scout   Lead Portfolio Manager   May 2019
Timothy Miller, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Scout   Co-Portfolio Manager   May 2019
Mr. McBride joined Scout in 2009. Mr. McBride began his investment career in 1991 and earned a B.S. from Wichita State University and an M.B.A. from Indiana University.
Mr. Miller joined Scout in 2012. Mr. Miller began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles and an M.B.A. from Indiana University.
The rest of the section remains the same.
Shareholders should retain this Supplement for future reference.
2
S-6546-120 A (5/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Variable Portfolio Funds

    
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund
CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund
CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund
CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund
CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund
CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund
Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund
 

  
Each above-named Columbia Variable Portfolio, CTIVP ® and Variable Portfolio Fund (each a “VP Fund” or a “Fund” and together the “VP Funds” or the “Funds”) may offer Class 1 and Class 2 to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and certain other qualified institutional investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Funds.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Variable Portfolio Funds
Table of Contents
SUMMARIES OF THE FUNDS
Investment Objective(s), Fees and Expenses of the Fund, Principal Investment Strategies, Principal Risks, Performance Information, Fund Management, Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Tax Information, Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
 

3

10

16

24

32

37

44

49

54

59

65

71

76

86

94

98

104

110
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
Investment Objective(s), Principal Investment Strategies, Principal Risks, Portfolio Management
 

115

121

128

137

146

150

158

162

166

171

178

184

188

200

208

211

217
Prospectus 2019 1

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Table of Contents (continued)

224

229

229

233

235

236

237

237

237

238

240

244

244

245

247

251

255

259

263

267

271

275

279

283

287

291

295

299

303

307

311

315
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – Limited Duration Credit Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.48% 0.48%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.50% 0.75%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.01%) (0.01%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.49% 0.74%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.49% for Class 1 and 0.74% for Class 2.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $50 $159 $279 $627
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $76 $239 $416 $929
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 62% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in corporate bonds. The Fund primarily invests in debt securities with short- and intermediate-term maturities generally similar to those included in the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index (the Index). The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund’s duration is managed to help reduce volatility associated with changes in interest rates. Under normal conditions, the Fund will target duration to be similar to or lower than that of the Index, but will not exceed that of the Index by more than one year. As of March 31, 2019, the duration of the Index was 2.71 years.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures), to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund may also use these instruments for other purposes.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund (continued)
subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund (continued)
be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund (continued)
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2016 2.62%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2015 -1.77%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 0.24% 1.20% 2.16%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -0.02% 0.95% 1.90%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.95% 1.94% 2.72%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tom Murphy, CFA   Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Investment Grade Credit   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Timothy Doubek, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Royce D. Wilson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2012
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio (VP) – U.S. Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.84% 0.84%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.86% 1.11%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 88 $274 $477 $1,061
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $113 $353 $612 $1,352
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 80% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund (i) invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment (Focus Stocks) and (ii) may also invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion, provided that immediately after that
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
investment a majority of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in Focus Stocks. The Fund may continue to hold, and to make additional investments in, Focus Stocks whose market capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion, regardless of whether the Fund’s investments in Focus Stocks are a majority of the Fund’s net assets.
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, including futures (including equity futures and index futures), for hedging, investment or cash equitization purposes.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager for the Fund and attempts to achieve the Fund’s objective by managing a portion of the Fund’s assets and selecting one or more subadvisers to manage other portions of the Fund’s assets independently of each other and Columbia Management.
Columbia Management combines fundamental and quantitative analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing its portion of the Fund’s portfolio. A portion of the Fund’s assets is subadvised by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM), a wholly-owned affiliate of the Investment Manager. The subadviser and Columbia Management each make investment decisions for their respective portions of the Fund’s assets independently of one another.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2015, when the Investment Manager assumed day-to-day management responsibilities over a portion of the Fund's portfolio, reflects returns achieved by a single subadviser that managed the Fund's portfolio according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current management and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 17.07%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -22.75%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -14.03% 1.59% 8.21%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -14.22% 1.34% 7.94%
Russell 2000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -11.01% 4.41% 10.24%
  
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Condon, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Strategies   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Peter Albanese   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Jarl Ginsberg, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Christian Stadlinger, Ph.D., CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
David Hoffman   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Subadviser: Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA   Director of Research (U.S.) and Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Richard Watson, CFA   Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Portfolio Manager   2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.47% 0.47%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.48% 0.73%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $49 $154 $269 $604
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $75 $233 $406 $906
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 136% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government,
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. Although the Fund emphasizes high- and medium-quality debt securities, it may assume increased credit risk by investing in below investment-grade fixed-income securities (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Ginnie Mae is supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Securities issued or guaranteed by other U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. However, they are authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers, including issuers in emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures) and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) in an effort to manage interest rate exposure, to produce incremental earnings, to hedge existing positions, and to increase market exposure and investment flexibility.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk, Credit Risk, and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2011 3.22%
Worst

2nd Quarter 2013 -2.72%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -1.05% 2.68% 3.05%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -1.31% 2.44% 2.80%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: American Century Investment Management, Inc. (American Century)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Robert Gahagan   Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century (Global Macro Strategy Team Representative)   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Alejandro Aguilar, CFA   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Jeffrey Houston, CFA   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Brian Howell   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Charles Tan   Senior Vice President and Co-Chief Investment Officer, Global Fixed Income of American Century (Global Macro Strategy Team Representative)   Co-Portfolio Manager   November 2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – AQR International Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees (a) 0.78% 0.78%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.80% 1.05%
(a) Management fees have been restated to reflect current management fee rates.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 82 $255 $444 $ 989
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $107 $334 $579 $1,282
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 105% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of foreign issuers, located or traded in countries other than the U.S., that are believed to offer strong growth potential. Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally invests its assets in companies whose market capitalizations fall within the range of the companies that comprise the MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. The market capitalization range of
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
the companies included within the Index was $1.9 billion to $290.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including index futures), forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), as well as in foreign currencies and exchange-traded funds, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund's assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds and money market funds.
Quantitative models are used as part of the investment process for the Fund. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Market Risk , and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social,
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Model and Data Risk. Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Fund’s subadviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (Models and Data). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.
When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the subadviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the subadviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
All models rely on correct data inputs. If incorrect data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if data is inputted correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.
The Fund is unlikely to be successful unless the assumptions underlying the models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated, and major losses may result.
The subadviser, in its sole discretion, will continue to test, evaluate and add new models, which may result in the modification of existing models from time to time. There can be no assurance that model modifications will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Momentum Style Risk. Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests,
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2018 reflects returns achieved by a subadviser that managed the Fund according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 12.27%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -21.03%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -16.53% -1.67% 3.72%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -16.69% -1.91% 3.45%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -13.79% 0.53% 5.36%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: AQR Capital Management, LLC (AQR)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Michele Aghassi, Ph.D.   Portfolio Manager and Principal of AQR   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.   Portfolio Manager and Principal of AQR   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Jacques Friedman, M.S.   Portfolio Manager and Principal of AQR   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
30 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income and capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.75% 0.75%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.77% 1.02%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 79 $246 $428 $ 954
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $104 $325 $563 $1,248
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 51% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity and equity-related securities issued by companies in the real estate industry. A company is considered to be in the real estate industry if it (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from the ownership, construction, management, financing or sale of residential, commercial or industrial real
32 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
estate or (ii) has at least 50% of the fair market value of its assets invested in residential, commercial or industrial real estate. Companies in the real estate industry include, among others, real estate operating companies (REOCs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Real Estate-Related Investment Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio
Prospectus 2019 33

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended. Because the value of REITs and other real estate-related companies may fluctuate widely in response to changes in factors affecting the real estate markets, the value of an investment in the Fund may be more volatile than the value of an investment in a fund that is invested in a more diverse range of market sectors.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to June 2016 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadviser(s) that managed the Fund according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
34 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 14.33%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -20.22%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -5.58% 3.51% 6.34%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -5.85% 3.24% 6.07%
FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.62% 7.90% 9.66%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: CenterSquare Investment Management LLC (CenterSquare)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Dean Frankel, CFA   Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Securities of CenterSquare   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Eric Rothman, CFA   Portfolio Manager of CenterSquare   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Prospectus 2019 35

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
36 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – DFA International Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees (a) 0.85% 0.85%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses (b) 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.88% 1.13%
(a) Management fees have been restated to reflect current fees based on current asset levels.
(b) Other expenses have been restated and are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s current fiscal year, taking into consideration changes in the Fund’s net assets.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 90 $281 $488 $1,084
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $115 $359 $622 $1,375
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large non-U.S. companies associated with developed markets that the Fund’s portfolio managers determine to be value stocks at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stock, preferred stock and depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Prospectus 2019 37

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in companies in three or more non-U.S. developed market countries. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe.
Investments for the Fund will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Fund’s portfolio pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Fund will receive dividend income.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) in connection with the settlement of equity trades or the exchange of one currency for another and futures contracts (including equity and index futures) to adjust market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , and Value Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make
38 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Prospectus 2019 39

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
40 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to November 2011 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadviser had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 41

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2013 13.61%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -23.98%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -17.30% -0.75% 2.50%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -17.48% -0.99% 2.24%
MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -14.78% -0.61% 4.44%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (DFA)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Jed Fogdall   Vice President and Head of Global Portfolio Management of DFA   Co-Portfolio Manager   2011
Mary Phillips, CFA   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of DFA   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Bhanu Singh   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of DFA   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
42 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 43

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.67% 0.67%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.70% 0.95%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $72 $224 $390 $ 871
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $97 $303 $525 $1,166
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 8% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large-capitalization companies believed to have the potential for long-term growth. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging market securities, directly or indirectly through depositary receipts.
44 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
The Fund will not concentrate its assets in any single industry but may from time to time invest more than 25% of its assets in companies conducting business in various industries within an economic sector. The Fund will typically invest in a limited number of companies.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by
Prospectus 2019 45

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
46 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
The Fund’s performance prior to March 2014 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadviser had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 15.88%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -14.92%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -2.40% 11.34% 12.87%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -2.65% 11.06% 12.59%
Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -1.51% 10.40% 13.76%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. (Loomis Sayles)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Aziz Hamzaogullari, CFA   Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Founder of the Growth Equity Strategies Team, and Portfolio Manager of Loomis Sayles   Portfolio Manager   2014
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible
Prospectus 2019 47

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
48 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.68% 0.68%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.69% 0.94%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $70 $221 $384 $ 859
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $96 $300 $520 $1,155
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 95% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of U.S. large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, real estate
Prospectus 2019 49

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs). The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund’s subadviser uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct the Fund’s portfolio.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Sector Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Investors have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. Investments are also subject to certain tax risks and conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes
50 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2017 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadviser had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 51

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 17.43%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -15.40%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -1.02% 8.23% 11.82%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -1.27% 7.96% 11.53%
Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -1.51% 10.40% 13.76%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. (Los Angeles Capital)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Thomas Stevens, CFA   Chairman, CEO and Senior Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Hal Reynolds, CFA   Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Daniel Allen, CFA   President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Daniel Arche, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible
52 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 53

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – MFS ® Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.67% 0.67%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.69% 0.94%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $70 $221 $384 $ 859
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $96 $300 $520 $1,155
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 8% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets are invested primarily in equity securities. The Fund invests primarily in stocks of companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies). Value companies tend to have stock prices that are low relative to their earnings, dividends, assets, or other financial measures.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
54 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
Equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and depositary receipts for such securities.
While the Fund may invest its assets in companies of any size, the Fund generally focuses on large-capitalization companies. Large-capitalization companies are defined by the Fund as those companies with market capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of purchase.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Prospectus 2019 55

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial
56 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 12.41%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -15.34%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -10.02% 5.74% 9.80%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -10.25% 5.48% 9.54%
Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -8.27% 5.95% 10.44%
  
Prospectus 2019 57

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Nevin Chitkara   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Steve Gorham   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
58 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP®– Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.66% 0.66%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.67% 0.92%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $68 $214 $373 $ 835
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $94 $293 $509 $1,131
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 71% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund has exposure to equity securities. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and limited partnership interests. While the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily focuses on large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
Prospectus 2019 59

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP®– Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging market investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary and information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund typically employs a focused portfolio investing style, which results in fewer holdings than a fund that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a greater number of issuers.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Issuer Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their
60 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP®– Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Investors have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. Investments are also subject to certain tax risks and conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or
Prospectus 2019 61

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP®– Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary and information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and are subject to liquidity risk which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares below the current market price. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
62 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP®– Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2016 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadviser(s) that managed the Fund according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 15.77%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -16.84%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 2.91% 10.05% 12.62%
Class 2 05/07/2010 2.62% 9.76% 12.34%
Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -1.51% 10.40% 13.76%
  
Prospectus 2019 63

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP®– Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (MSIM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Dennis Lynch   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Sam Chainani, CFA   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Jason Yeung, CFA   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Armistead Nash   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
David Cohen   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Alexander Norton   Executive Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
64 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees (a) 0.87% 0.87%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.02% 0.02%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.89% 1.14%
(a) Management fees have been restated to reflect current management fee rates.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 91 $284 $493 $1,096
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $116 $362 $628 $1,386
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets are primarily invested in equity securities of foreign issuers as well as depositary receipts. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities convertible into common stock. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in companies located in at least three countries outside the U.S. From time to time it may place greater emphasis on investing in one or more particular regions such as Asia, Europe or Latin America.
The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities that provide exposure to emerging markets. The
Prospectus 2019 65

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will emphasize investments in issuers that the portfolio managers consider to be “growth” companies.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Growth Securities Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its
66 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than
Prospectus 2019 67

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants,
68 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2016 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadviser(s) that managed the Fund according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2013 10.79%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -17.94%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -18.95% -0.57% 4.48%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -19.10% -0.80% 4.22%
MSCI EAFE Growth Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -12.83% 1.62% 6.22%
  
Prospectus 2019 69

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (Oppenheimer)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
George Evans, CFA   Chief Investment Officer, Equities, of Oppenheimer   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Robert Dunphy, CFA   Vice President of Oppenheimer   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
70 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital and income.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.66% 0.66%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.67% 0.92%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $68 $214 $373 $ 835
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $94 $293 $509 $1,131
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 20% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
Prospectus 2019 71

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund’s subadviser seeks to identify companies that appear to be undervalued by various measures, and may be temporarily out of favor, but, in the opinion of the subadviser, have good prospects for capital appreciation. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
72 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
Prospectus 2019 73

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
The Fund’s performance prior to November 2016 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadviser(s) that managed the Fund according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2011 12.17%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -14.11%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -9.30% 3.97% 8.77%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -9.52% 3.72% 8.50%
Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -8.27% 5.95% 10.44%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Heather McPherson   Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
T. Rowe Price
  Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Mark Finn, CFA, CPA   Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
T. Rowe Price
  Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
John Linehan, CFA   Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
T. Rowe Price
  Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
74 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 75

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return through current income and capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.48% 0.48%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.49% 0.74%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $50 $157 $274 $616
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $76 $237 $411 $918
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 178% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities, including debt securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, debt securities issued by corporations, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, dollar-denominated securities issued by foreign governments, companies or other entities, bank loans and other obligations. Other obligations include any other security or instrument in which there is a requirement or obligation to repay money borrowed. For purposes of its 80% test, the
76 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Fund treats investment in loans as “debt securities,” even though loans may not be “securities” under certain of the federal securities laws. The Fund invests at least 60% of its net assets in debt securities that, at the time of purchase, are rated in at least one of the three highest rating categories or are unrated securities determined to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds). The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity or duration at the Fund level.
Up to 25% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in foreign investments (including in emerging markets), which may include investments of up to 20% of the Fund’s assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. In connection with its strategy relating to foreign investments, the Fund may buy or sell foreign currencies in lieu of or in addition to non-dollar denominated fixed-income securities in order to increase or decrease its exposure to foreign interest rate and/or currency markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) and futures contracts (including interest rate futures) for hedging purposes and to manage duration of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may also hold/invest in cash, money market instruments (which may include investments in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or similar vehicles) or other high-quality, short-term investments, including for the purpose of covering its obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Credit Risk , and Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Confidential Information Access Risk. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of material, non-public information (Confidential Information) about the issuers of floating rate loans (including from the issuer itself) being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information may disadvantage the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Prospectus 2019 77

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
78 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or
Prospectus 2019 79

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments
80 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, and the Fund, to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, may need to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. The Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower.
Prospectus 2019 81

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
82 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to March 2014 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadviser(s) that managed the Fund according to different principal investment strategies. If the Fund’s current subadviser and strategies had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 83

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2016 2.41%
Worst

4th Quarter 2016 -2.79%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 0.06% 2.22% 2.35%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -0.10% 1.98% 2.11%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: TCW Investment Management Company LLC (TCW)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tad Rivelle   Group Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income of TCW since December 2009   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Laird Landmann   Co-Director of Fixed Income and Group Managing Director of TCW   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Stephen Kane, CFA   Group Managing Director of TCW   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Bryan Whalen, CFA   Group Managing Director of TCW   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
84 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 85

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income consistent with capital preservation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.43% 0.43%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.44% 0.69%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $45 $141 $246 $555
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $70 $221 $384 $859
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 414% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in U.S. Government obligations, including debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies or government-sponsored entities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets within non-government mortgage and asset-backed securities.
86 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
In pursuit of its objective, the Fund will purchase only securities that are rated, at the time of purchase, within the two highest rating categories assigned by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization, or if deemed to be of comparable quality. As part of the Fund’s investment strategy, it may invest in stripped securities (securities that have been transformed from a principal amount with periodic interest coupons into a series of zero-coupon bonds, with the range of maturities matching the coupon payment dates and the redemption date of the principal amount) or enter into mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, the Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies, and to a lesser extent, other securities rated AA- or Aa3 that the Fund’s subadviser believes will sufficiently outperform U.S. Treasuries. Generally, the portfolio’s overall dollar-weighted average effective duration is less than that of a 3-year U.S. Treasury note.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures), to hedge interest rate exposure of the Fund.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Credit Risk , and Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Prospectus 2019 87

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
88 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Prospectus 2019 89

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk (the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested). Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that
90 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Stripped Securities Risk. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal components of debt securities. These securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, and therefore subject to greater fluctuations in price than typical interest bearing debt securities.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds are bonds that do not pay interest in cash on a current basis, but instead accrue interest over the life of the bond. As a result, these securities are issued at a discount and their values may fluctuate more than the values of similar securities that pay interest periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to maturity, interest accrued on these securities is reported as income to the Fund and affects the amounts distributed to its shareholders, which may cause the Fund to sell investments to obtain cash to make income distributions to shareholders, including at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 91

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2018 1.01%
Worst

2nd Quarter 2013 -0.69%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 0.96% 0.79% 1.15%
Class 2 05/07/2010 0.81% 0.56% 0.89%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year Government Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   1.58% 0.82% 0.89%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Thomas O’Connor, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Maulik Bhansali, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Jarad Vasquez   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
92 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 93

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.81% 0.81%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.84% 1.09%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 86 $268 $466 $1,037
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $111 $347 $601 $1,329
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 72% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. The Fund defines mid-capitalization companies as those companies with a market capitalization that falls within the range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
94 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Sector Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and may be less liquid than the securities of larger companies.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Prospectus 2019 95

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 14.30%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -15.79%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -3.37% 5.55% 9.90%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -3.61% 5.28% 9.62%
Russell Midcap Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.75% 7.42% 12.29%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. (Westfield)
The Westfield Investment Committee (the “Committee”) is jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day investment decision making for the Fund. Investment decisions for the Fund are made by consensus of the Committee, which is chaired by William A. Muggia. Although the Committee collectively acts as portfolio manager for the Fund, Westfield lists the following Committee members, based on seniority and role within the Committee, as having day-to-day management responsibilities for the Fund.
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
William Muggia   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of Westfield   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Richard Lee, CFA   Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of Westfield   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Ethan Meyers, CFA   Director of Research and Managing Partner of Westfield   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
96 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 97

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio (VP) – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees (a) 0.97% 0.97%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.22% 0.22%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 1.19% 1.44%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (b) (0.11%) (0.11%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 1.08% 1.33%
(a) Management fees have been restated to reflect current management fee rates.
(b) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 1.08% for Class 1 and 1.33% for Class 2.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $110 $367 $644 $1,433
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $135 $445 $776 $1,715
98 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 56% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in equity securities.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 75% of its total assets in foreign companies in developed markets (for example, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom) and in emerging markets (for example, China, India and Brazil). The Fund may invest in depositary receipts.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. However, if the Fund’s investments in such companies represent less than a majority of its net assets, the Fund may continue to hold and to make additional investments in an existing company in its portfolio even if that company’s capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion. Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion at the time of initial investment, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of its net assets would be invested in companies whose market capitalizations were under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the industrials sector.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Emerging Market Securities Risk , Market Risk , and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in
Prospectus 2019 99

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
100 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary sector and the industrials sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Prospectus 2019 101

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance, as well as another measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Effective May 1, 2019, the Fund compares its performance to that of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Growth Index (Net) (the New Index). Prior to this date, the Fund compared its performance to that of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index (Net) (the Former Index). The Fund’s investment manager believes that the Fund’s portfolio more closely aligns with the MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Growth Index (Net). Information on the Former Index also will be shown for a one-year transition period.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 14.68%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -17.93%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -17.42% 0.60% 5.89%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -17.46% 0.39% 5.67%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Growth Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -18.27% 2.26% 6.09%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -18.20% 1.96% 5.90%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
102 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
Subadviser: Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Louis J. Mendes, CFA   Director of International Research, Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Tae Han (Simon) Kim, CFA   Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 103

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Core Bond Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio (VP) – Partners Core Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while conserving the value of the investment for the longest period of time.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.48% 0.48%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.49% 0.74%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $50 $157 $274 $616
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $76 $237 $411 $918
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 309% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. The Fund invests primarily in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and
104 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements, as well as invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities of foreign issuers.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund
Prospectus 2019 105

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid
106 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk (the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested). Leverage can create an interest
Prospectus 2019 107

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 2017 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadvisers had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2011 2.87%
Worst

4th Quarter 2016 -2.89%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -0.09% 2.42% 2.92%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -0.35% 2.16% 2.66%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
  
108 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (JPMIM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Richard Figuly   Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of JPMIM   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Barbara Miller   Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of JPMIM   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Justin Rucker   Executive Director and Portfolio Manager of JPMIM   Co-Portfolio Manager   May 2019
Subadviser: Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Thomas O’Connor, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Maulik Bhansali, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Jarad Vasquez   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 109

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio (VP) – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.86% 0.86%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.87% 1.12%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 89 $278 $482 $1,073
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $114 $356 $617 $1,363
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 113% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in the equity securities of small-capitalization companies. Small-capitalization companies are defined as those companies with a market capitalization, at the time of purchase, of up to $2.5 billion, or that fall within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of
110 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
the companies included within the Index was $8.3 million to $8.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the health care sector, industrials sector, and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Each subadviser employs an active investment strategy. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in small-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and securities of small-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the health care sector, industrials sector, and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Prospectus 2019 111

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Health Care Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the health care sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s performance prior to May 1, 2017 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadvisers had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
112 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 13.95%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -22.22%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 05/07/2010 -4.65% 2.72% 8.91%
Class 2 05/07/2010 -4.88% 2.47% 8.64%
Russell 2000 Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -9.31% 5.13% 11.57%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: BMO Asset Management Corp. (BMO)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
David Corris, CFA   Portfolio Manager of BMO   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Thomas Lettenberger, CFA   Portfolio Manager of BMO   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Subadviser: Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Joseph Eberhardy, CFA, CPA   Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Thomas Ognar, CFA   Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Prospectus 2019 113

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
114 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a level of current income consistent with preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in corporate bonds. The Fund primarily invests in debt securities with short- and intermediate-term maturities generally similar to those included in the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index (the Index). The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund’s duration is managed to help reduce volatility associated with changes in interest rates. Under normal conditions, the Fund will target duration to be similar to or lower than that of the Index, but will not exceed that of the Index by more than one year. As of March 31, 2019, the duration of the Index was 2.71 years. Duration measures the sensitivity of bond prices to changes in interest rates. The longer the duration of a bond, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, a three-year duration means a bond is expected to decrease in value by 3% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 3% if interest rates fall 1%.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures), to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund may also use these instruments for other purposes.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) chooses investments by:
Emphasizing an independent, proprietary credit research process of issuers of debt securities;
Analyzing issuer-specific inputs, such as business strategy, management strength, competitive position and various financial metrics to identify the most attractive securities within each industry;
Investing opportunistically in lower-quality (junk) bonds based on relative valuations and risk-adjusted return expectations;
Utilizing quantitative risk controls and qualitative risk assessments in a framework that seeks to minimize issuer credit risk.
In evaluating whether to sell a security, the Investment Manager considers, among other factors:
Change in an issuer’s credit fundamentals relative to the Fund investment team’s expectations;
Changes to the fundamental attractiveness of a sector, industry group, or security;
Changes to the risk/reward trade-off of an issuer;
The potential development of event risk;
Adjustments needed to change overall portfolio risk.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Prospectus 2019 115

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or
116 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund (continued)
replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees
Prospectus 2019 117

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund (continued)
are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may
118 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund (continued)
negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of
Prospectus 2019 119

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund (continued)
prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Portfolio Management
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Portfolio Managers
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tom Murphy, CFA   Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Investment Grade Credit   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Timothy Doubek, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Royce D. Wilson, CFA   Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2012
Mr. Murphy joined the Investment Manager in 2002. Mr. Murphy began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Doubek joined the Investment Manager in 2001. Mr. Doubek began his investment career in 1987 and earned an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Wilson joined the Investment Manager in 2007. Mr. Wilson began his investment career in 2002 and earned a B.B.A. from Western Connecticut State University.
120 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund (i) invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment (Focus Stocks) and (ii) may also invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in Focus Stocks. The Fund may continue to hold, and to make additional investments in, Focus Stocks whose market capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion, regardless of whether the Fund’s investments in Focus Stocks are a majority of the Fund’s net assets.
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, including futures (including equity futures and index futures), for hedging, investment or cash equitization purposes.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager for the Fund and attempts to achieve the Fund’s objective by managing a portion of the Fund’s assets and selecting one or more subadvisers to manage other portions of the Fund’s assets independently of each other and Columbia Management. A portion of the Fund’s assets is subadvised by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM), a wholly-owned affiliate of the Investment Manager. The subadviser and Columbia Management each make investment decisions for their respective portions of the Fund’s assets independently of one another.
Columbia Management
Columbia Management combines fundamental and quantitative analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing its portion of the Fund’s portfolio. Columbia Management uses quantitative analysis to create sector- and industry-specific multi-factor stock selection models that consider a variety of factors which may include, among others, valuation, quality and catalyst when identifying certain investment opportunities.
Columbia Management also considers the following factors, among others, when selecting investments:
businesses that are believed to be fundamentally sound and undervalued due to investor indifference, investor misperception of company prospects, or other factors;
various measures of valuation, including price-to-cash flow, price-to-earnings, price-to-sales, and price-to-book value. The Investment Manager believes that companies with lower valuations are generally more likely to provide opportunities for capital appreciation;
a company’s current operating margins relative to its historic range and future potential; and/or
potential indicators of stock price appreciation, such as anticipated earnings growth, company restructuring, changes in management, business model changes, new product opportunities or anticipated improvements in macroeconomic factors.
Prospectus 2019 121

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
The Investment Manager may sell a security when the security’s price reaches a target set by the Investment Manager; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects; if other investments are more attractive; or for other reasons.
CWAM (the Subadviser)
The Subadviser believes that stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, which generally are not as well known by financial analysts as larger companies, may offer higher return potential than stocks of larger companies.
The Subadviser typically seeks companies with:
A strong business franchise that offers growth potential.
Products and services in which the company has a competitive advantage.
A stock price the Subadviser believes is reasonable relative to the assets and earning power of the company.
The Subadviser may sell a portfolio holding if the security reaches the Subadviser's price target, if the company has a deterioration of fundamentals, such as failing to meet key operating benchmarks, or if the Subadviser believes other securities are more attractive. The Subadviser also may sell a portfolio holding to fund redemptions.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an
122 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 123

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could
124 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Prospectus 2019 125

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with CWAM is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Subadviser
CWAM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2010, is located at 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. CWAM, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. CWAM, (operating as a limited partnership prior to May 1, 2010), is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and a Delaware limited liability company. CWAM provides professional management of global equity assets using in-house resources to seek superior long-term results.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Condon, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Strategies   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Peter Albanese   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Jarl Ginsberg, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Christian Stadlinger, Ph.D., CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
David Hoffman   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
126 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
Mr. Condon joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1999. Mr. Condon began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.A. from Bryant University and an M.S. in finance from Bentley University.
Mr. Albanese joined the Investment Manager in August 2014. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Albanese was a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at Robeco Investment Management. Mr. Albanese began his investment career in 1991 and earned a B.S. from Stony Brook University and an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
Mr. Ginsberg joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Mr. Ginsberg began his investment career in 1987 and earned an A.B. from Brown University and an M.P.P.M. in finance from Yale School of Management.
Dr. Stadlinger joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2002. Dr. Stadlinger began his investment career in 1989 and earned an M.S. in economics from the University of Vienna and a Ph.D. in economics from Northwestern University.
Mr. Hoffman joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2001. Mr. Hoffman began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.A. from Grinnell College and an M.A. from Columbia University.
Subadviser: Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA   Director of Research (U.S.) and Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Richard Watson, CFA   Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. Litfin has been associated with CWAM since 2015. Prior to joining CWAM, Mr. Litfin served as a portfolio manager and analyst for funds that invested in small- and mid-cap companies. Mr. Litfin began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.S. from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Mr. Watson has been associated with CWAM or its predecessors as an investment professional since 2006. Mr. Watson began his investment career in 2000 and earned a B.S. from the State University of New York and an M.B.A. from DePaul University.
Prospectus 2019 127

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. Although the Fund emphasizes high- and medium-quality debt securities, it may assume increased credit risk by investing in below investment-grade fixed-income securities (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Ginnie Mae is supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Securities issued or guaranteed by other U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. However, they are authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers, including issuers in emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures) and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) in an effort to manage interest rate exposure, to produce incremental earnings, to hedge existing positions, and to increase market exposure and investment flexibility.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The selection of debt obligations is the primary decision in building the investment portfolio.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, American Century Investment Management, Inc. (American Century or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, American Century decides which debt securities to buy and sell by considering:
the desired maturity requirements for the portfolio;
the portfolio’s credit quality standards;
current and anticipated interest rates;
current economic conditions and the risk of inflation; and/or
special features of the debt securities that may make them more or less attractive.
Because the Fund will own many debt securities, American Century calculates the average of the remaining maturities of all the debt securities the Fund owns to evaluate the interest rate sensitivity of the entire investment portfolio. This average is weighted according to the size of the Fund’s individual holdings and is called the weighted average maturity. American Century generally seeks to maintain the weighted average maturity of the Fund’s investment portfolio at three and one-half years or longer. Within this maturity limit, American Century may shorten
128 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
the investment portfolio’s maturity during periods of rising interest rates in order to seek to reduce the effect of bond price declines on the Fund’s value. When interest rates are falling and bond prices are rising, American Century may lengthen the portfolio’s maturity.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk, Credit Risk, and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain
Prospectus 2019 129

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit
130 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the
Prospectus 2019 131

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
  counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
132 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Prospectus 2019 133

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or
134 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with American Century is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Prospectus 2019 135

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
Subadviser
American Century, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2010, is located at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111. American Century, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. American Century, founded in 1958, is an independent, privately-controlled asset management firm dedicated to delivering superior investment performance and building long-term client relationships. American Century manages client portfolios based on various investment strategies, including, for example, global growth equity, global value equity, fixed income, disciplined equity and multi-asset strategies.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: American Century Investment Management, Inc. (American Century)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Robert Gahagan   Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century (Global Macro Strategy Team Representative)   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Alejandro Aguilar, CFA   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Jeffrey Houston, CFA   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Brian Howell   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of American Century   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Charles Tan   Senior Vice President and Co-Chief Investment Officer, Global Fixed Income of American Century (Global Macro Strategy Team Representative)   Co-Portfolio Manager   November 2018
Mr. Gahagan joined American Century in 1983. Mr. Gahagan began his investment career in 1983 and earned a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Mr. Aguilar joined American Century in 2003. Mr. Aguilar began his investment career in 1994 and earned a B.A. from the University of California-Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Houston joined American Century in 1990. Mr. Houston began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.A. from the University of Delaware and an M.A. from Syracuse University.
Mr. Howell joined American Century in 1987. Mr. Howell began his investment career in 1987 and earned a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of California-Berkeley.
Mr. Tan joined American Century in 2018. Prior to joining American Century, Mr. Tan worked at Aberdeen Standard Investments from 2005 to 2018. Mr. Tan began his investment career in 1994 and earned a B.S. from University of International Business and Economics, Beijing and an M.B.A from Bucknell University.
136 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of foreign issuers, located or traded in countries other than the U.S., that are believed to offer strong growth potential. Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally invests its assets in companies whose market capitalizations fall within the range of the companies that comprise the MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $1.9 billion to $290.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including index futures), forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), as well as in foreign currencies and exchange-traded funds, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund's assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds and money market funds.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, AQR Capital Management, LLC (AQR or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Subadviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models – or processes – to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.
Value strategies favor securities that appear relatively inexpensive based on fundamental measures, often as a result of lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.
Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.
In addition to these two main factors, the Subadviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Subadviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Subadviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.
The Subadviser determines the weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Subadviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and other criteria that form part of the Subadviser’s security selection process. Individual investments are sold or closed out during a rebalancing process, the frequency of which is expected to vary depending on the Subadviser’s ongoing evaluation of certain factors including changes in market conditions and how much the actual portfolio deviates from the target portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 137

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Market Risk , and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in
138 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). The effectiveness of any currency strategy by a Fund may be reduced by the Fund's inability to precisely match forward contract amounts and the value of securities involved. Forward foreign currency contracts used for hedging may also limit any potential gain that might result from an increase or decrease in the value of the currency. Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants
Prospectus 2019 139

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa. Restrictions on currency trading may be imposed by foreign countries, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Even though the currencies of some countries may be pegged to the U.S. dollar, the conversion rate may be controlled by government regulation or intervention at levels significantly different than what would normally prevail in a free market. Significant revaluations of the U.S. dollar exchange rate of these currencies could cause substantial reductions in the Fund’s NAV.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such
140 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. A number of countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact that country, other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified in a region with more developed countries and economies. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Continued growth of economies and securities markets in the region will require sustained economic and fiscal discipline, as well as continued commitment to governmental and regulatory reforms. Development also may be influenced by international economic conditions, including those in the United States and Japan, and by world demand for goods or natural resources produced in countries in the Asia Pacific region. Securities markets in the region are generally smaller and have a lower trading volume than those in the United States, which may result in the securities of some companies in the region being less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities. Some currencies, inflation rates or interest rates in the Asia Pacific region are or can be volatile, and some countries in the region may restrict the flow of money in and out of the country. The risks described under “Foreign Securities Risk” may be more pronounced due to the Fund’s focus on investments in the region.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). European countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the EMU imposes on its members and with which
Prospectus 2019 141

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
candidates for EMU membership are required to comply. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single EU country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. Unemployment in Europe has historically been higher than in the United States and public deficits are an ongoing concern in many European countries. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. At a referendum in June 2016, the citizens of the UK voted to leave the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”).  However, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.  The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.  The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.  For more information on the risks associated with Brexit, see the Statement of Additional Information. 
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund
142 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Model and Data Risk. Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Fund’s subadviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (Models and Data). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.
When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. For example, by relying on Models and Data, the subadviser may be induced to buy certain investments at prices that are too high, to sell certain other investments at prices that are too low, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the subadviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Some of the models used by the subadviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. For example, such models may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, in unforeseen or certain low-probability scenarios (often involving a market disruption of some kind), such models may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for the Fund. Furthermore, because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data.
All models rely on correct data inputs. If incorrect data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if data is inputted correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments. Model prices can differ from market prices as model prices are typically based on assumptions and estimates derived from recent market data that may not remain realistic or relevant in the future. To address these issues, the subadviser evaluates model prices and outputs versus recent transactions or similar securities, and as a result, such models may be modified from time to time.
The Fund is unlikely to be successful unless the assumptions underlying the models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that the models do not reflect certain factors, and the subadviser does not successfully address such omissions through its testing and evaluation and modify the models accordingly, major losses may result. The subadviser, in its sole discretion, will continue to test, evaluate and add new models, which may result in the modification of existing models from time to time. Any modification of the models or strategies will not be subject to any requirement that shareholders receive notice of the change or that they consent to it. There can be no assurance that model modifications will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Momentum Style Risk. Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund
Prospectus 2019 143

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
(i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the adoption of the investment subadvisory agreement with AQR is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
AQR, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2018, is located at Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830. AQR, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. AQR is a registered investment adviser. AQR was organized as a Delaware limited liability company in 1998 and provides investment management services to registered investment companies, collective investment vehicles, private investment partnerships, foreign investment companies and separately managed accounts.
144 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: AQR Capital Management, LLC (AQR)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Michele Aghassi, Ph.D.   Portfolio Manager and Principal of AQR   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.   Portfolio Manager and Principal of AQR   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Jacques Friedman, M.S.   Portfolio Manager and Principal of AQR   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Ms. Aghassi is a Principal of AQR. Ms. Aghassi joined AQR in 2005 and serves as a portfolio manager for the firm’s equity strategies. She earned a B.Sc. in applied mathematics from Brown University and a Ph.D. in operations research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mr. Frazzini is a Principal of AQR. Mr. Frazzini joined AQR in 2008 and is a member of the research and portfolio management team, focusing on the firm’s long/short and long-only equity strategies. He earned a B.S. in economics from the University of Rome III, an M.S. in economics from the London School of Economics and a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University.
Mr. Friedman is a Principal of AQR. Mr. Friedman joined AQR at its inception in 1998 and oversees all aspects of research, portfolio management and strategy development for AQR’s equity products and strategies. He earned a B.S. in applied mathematics from Brown University and an M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Washington.
Prospectus 2019 145

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income and capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity and equity-related securities issued by companies in the real estate industry. A company is considered to be in the real estate industry if it (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from the ownership, construction, management, financing or sale of residential, commercial or industrial real estate or (ii) has at least 50% of the fair market value of its assets invested in residential, commercial or industrial real estate. Companies in the real estate industry include, among others, real estate operating companies (REOCs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, CenterSquare Investment Management LLC (CenterSquare or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
CenterSquare applies fundamental investment research techniques when deciding which securities to buy or sell. Typically, CenterSquare:
Monitors factors such as real estate trends and industry fundamentals of real estate sectors including office, apartment, retail, hotel, and industrial.
Selects stocks by evaluating each company’s real estate value, quality of its assets, and management record for improving earnings and increasing asset value relative to other publicly traded real estate companies.
Sells all or part of the Fund’s holdings in a particular security if CenterSquare believes:
The security appreciates to a premium relative to other real estate companies; or
The anticipated return is not sufficient compared with the risk of continued ownership.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Real Estate-Related Investment Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
146 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund
Prospectus 2019 147

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended. Because the value of REITs and other real estate-related companies may fluctuate widely in response to changes in factors affecting the real estate markets, the value of an investment in the Fund may be more volatile than the value of an investment in a fund that is invested in a more diverse range of market sectors.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with CenterSquare is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
CenterSquare Investment Management LLC, or its predecessor, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since June 2016, is located at 630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. CenterSquare, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. CenterSquare was organized and formed in September 2017, and provides private discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to institutional and high net worth investors in the form of separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles.
148 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: CenterSquare Investment Management LLC (CenterSquare)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Dean Frankel, CFA   Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Securities of CenterSquare   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Eric Rothman, CFA   Portfolio Manager of CenterSquare   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Mr. Frankel joined CenterSquare in 1997. Mr. Frankel began his investment career in 1997 and earned a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Rothman joined CenterSquare in 2006. Mr. Rothman began his investment career in 1995 and earned a B.A. in Economics from Boston University.
Prospectus 2019 149

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large non-U.S. companies associated with developed markets that the Fund’s portfolio managers determine to be value stocks at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stock, preferred stock and depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in companies in three or more non-U.S. developed market countries. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe.
Investments for the Fund will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Fund’s portfolio pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Fund will receive dividend income.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) in connection with the settlement of equity trades or the exchange of one currency for another and futures contracts (including equity and index futures) to adjust market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Fund.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (DFA or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
DFA’s stock selection process generally seeks to identify stocks of large non-U.S. companies that it determines, in its view, to be “value” stocks at the time of purchase and are associated with developed market countries that DFA has designated as approved markets (Approved Markets). DFA considers value stocks to be primarily those issued by companies with a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing value, DFA may consider additional factors, such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios as well as economic conditions and developments in the issuer’s industry. In assessing profitability, DFA may consider different ratios, such as that of earnings or profits from operations relative to book value or assets. The criteria DFA uses for assessing value or profitability are subject to change from time to time. DFA purchases stocks of large companies primarily located in developed market countries that have been designated as Approved Markets by DFA. DFA may purchase dual-listed securities or equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, to gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets.
Securities that are associated with an Approved Market include, among others: (a) securities of companies that are organized under the laws of, or maintain their principal place of business in, an Approved Market; (b) securities for which the principal trading market is in an Approved Market; (c) securities issued or guaranteed by the government of an Approved Market, its agencies or instrumentalities, or the central bank of such country or territory; (d) securities denominated in an Approved Market currency issued by companies to finance operations in Approved Markets; (e) securities of companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in Approved Markets or have at least 50% of their assets in Approved Markets; (f) equity securities of companies in Approved Markets in the form of depositary shares; or (g) securities included in the Fund’s benchmark index.
In the countries or regions authorized for investment, DFA first ranks eligible companies listed on selected exchanges based on the companies’ market capitalizations. DFA then determines the universe of eligible stocks by defining the minimum market capitalization of a large company that may be purchased by the Fund with respect to each country or region. This threshold will vary by country or region. DFA may adjust the representation in the Fund of an eligible
150 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
company, or exclude a company after considering such factors as free float, momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, value, profitability, as well as other factors that DFA determines appropriate, given market conditions. Through this approach and its judgment, DFA will seek to set country weights based in part on the relative market capitalization of eligible large companies within each country. The weightings of countries in the Fund may vary from their weightings in international indices, such as those published by FTSE International, MSCI or Citigroup.
DFA may sell some or all of its position in a security if it believes the security no longer meets one or more of the eligibility criteria for purchase that are described above or, if requested by the Investment Manager, to provide liquidity for fund redemptions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, DFA retains discretion over the decision to sell any given security at any time.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , and Value Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual
Prospectus 2019 151

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be
152 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly
Prospectus 2019 153

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. A number of countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact that country, other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified in a region with more developed countries and economies. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Continued growth of economies and securities markets in the region will require sustained economic and fiscal discipline, as well as continued commitment to governmental and regulatory reforms. Development also may be influenced by international economic conditions, including those in the United States and Japan, and by world demand for goods or natural resources produced in countries in the Asia Pacific region. Securities markets in the region are generally smaller and have a lower trading volume than those in the United States, which may result in the securities of some companies in the region being less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities. Some currencies, inflation rates or interest rates in the Asia Pacific region are or can be volatile, and some countries in the region may restrict the flow of money in and out of the country. The risks described under “Foreign Securities Risk” may be more pronounced due to the Fund’s focus on investments in the region.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). European countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the EMU imposes on its members and with which candidates for EMU membership are required to comply. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single EU country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. Unemployment in Europe has historically been higher than in the United States and public deficits are an ongoing concern in many European countries. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. At a referendum in June 2016, the citizens of the UK voted to leave the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”).  However, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.  The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.  The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.  For more information on the risks associated with Brexit, see the Statement of Additional Information. 
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
154 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial
Prospectus 2019 155

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with DFA is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
DFA, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since November 2011, is located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746. DFA, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and other information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. DFA has been in business since 1981 and manages equity and fixed income securities and other assets for institutional investors generally and clients of independent financial advisors based on a systematic and process-driven approach.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (DFA)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Jed Fogdall   Vice President and Head of Global Portfolio Management of DFA   Co-Portfolio Manager   2011
Mary Phillips, CFA   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of DFA   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Bhanu Singh   Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of DFA   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Mr. Fogdall joined DFA in 2004. Mr. Fogdall began his investment career in 2004 and earned a B.S. from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles.
156 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
Ms. Phillips joined DFA in 2012. Ms. Phillips began her investment career in 2003 and earned a B.A. from the University of Puget Sound and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Mr. Singh joined DFA originally in 2003. Mr. Singh began his investment career in 2003 and earned a B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Prospectus 2019 157

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large-capitalization companies believed to have the potential for long-term growth. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging market securities, directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies.
The Fund will not concentrate its assets in any single industry but may from time to time invest more than 25% of its assets in companies conducting business in various industries within an economic sector. The Fund will typically invest in a limited number of companies.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. (Loomis Sayles or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
Loomis Sayles normally invests across a wide range of sectors and industries. Loomis Sayles employs a growth style of equity management that seeks to emphasize companies with sustainable competitive advantages, long-term structural growth drivers, attractive cash flow returns on invested capital, and management teams focused on creating long-term value for shareholders. Loomis Sayles aims to invest in companies when they trade at a significant discount to Loomis Sayles’ estimate of intrinsic value.
Loomis Sayles will consider selling a portfolio investment when it believes an unfavorable structural change occurs within a given business or the markets in which it operates, a critical underlying investment assumption is flawed, when a more attractive reward-to-risk opportunity becomes available, when current price fully reflects intrinsic value, or for other investment reasons which Loomis Sayles deems appropriate.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio manager to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks
158 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Focused Portfolio Risk. The Fund, because it may invest in a limited number of companies, may have more volatility in its NAV and is considered to have more risk than a fund that invests in a greater number of companies because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in fewer securities, the Fund is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries
Prospectus 2019 159

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments.
160 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with Loomis Sayles is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
Loomis Sayles, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since March 2014, is located at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111. Loomis Sayles, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. Loomis Sayles is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers, L.P. which is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM), an international asset management group based in Paris, France. Natixis IM is in turn owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. Natixis is principally owned by BPCE Groupe, France’s second largest banking group. Loomis Sayles provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory or subadvisory services to a variety of investment funds and institutional clients through its separate account management services, as well as, investment advisory or subadvisory services in connection with certain wrap programs.
Portfolio Manager
Information about the portfolio manager primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio manager, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and ownership by the portfolio manager of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. (Loomis Sayles)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Aziz Hamzaogullari, CFA   Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Founder of the Growth Equity Strategies Team, and Portfolio Manager of Loomis Sayles   Portfolio Manager   2014
Mr. Hamzaogullari joined Loomis Sayles in 2010. Mr. Hamzaogullari began his investment industry career in 1993 and earned a B.S. from Bilkent University in Turkey and an M.B.A. from George Washington University.
Prospectus 2019 161

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of U.S. large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs). The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. (Los Angeles Capital or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
Los Angeles Capital employs a quantitative and dynamic approach to extract fundamental drivers of stock performance in the current market environment. The investment process considers a range of valuation, earnings, financial, market, and management characteristics to identify current drivers of return. Utilizing these characteristics, Los Angeles Capital constructs risk controlled, forward looking portfolios designed to adapt to changing market conditions.
Los Angeles Capital will consider selling a security if it no longer views the characteristics of the stock favorably.
The Fund’s Subadviser uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct the Fund’s portfolio.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Sector Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
162 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Holders of these units have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. These units may be subject to cash flow and dilution risks. There are also certain tax risks associated with such an investment. In particular, the Fund’s investment in master limited partnerships can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify. In addition, conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership, including a conflict arising as a result of incentive distribution payments. In addition, there are risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee
Prospectus 2019 163

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate
164 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with Los Angeles Capital is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
Los Angeles Capital, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2017, is an SEC registered investment adviser located at 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Los Angeles Capital, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. Los Angeles Capital is a discretionary institutional global asset manager registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Los Angeles Capital was founded in 2002 and is organized as a California corporation. Los Angeles Capital provides investment management advice across a range of equity investment strategies that are broadly categorized as U.S. equities, Emerging Markets equities, Global equities, Developed Markets outside the U.S. equities, and long/short equities.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. (Los Angeles Capital)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Thomas Stevens, CFA   Chairman, CEO and Senior Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Hal Reynolds, CFA   Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Daniel Allen, CFA   President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Daniel Arche, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Los Angeles Capital   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. Stevens co-founded Los Angeles Capital in 2002. Mr. Stevens began his investment career in 1976 and earned a B.B.A. and an M.B.A. from University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Reynolds co-founded Los Angeles Capital in 2002. Mr. Reynolds began his investment career in 1982 and earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from University of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Allen joined Los Angeles Capital in 2009. Mr. Allen began his investment career in 1983 and earned a B.B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University and an M.B.A. from University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Mr. Arche joined Los Angeles Capital in 2007. Mr. Arche began his investment career in 2006 and earned a B.B.A. from University of Southern California.
Prospectus 2019 165

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets are invested primarily in equity securities. The Fund invests primarily in stocks of companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies). Value companies tend to have stock prices that are low relative to their earnings, dividends, assets, or other financial measures.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and depositary receipts for such securities.
Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. While the Fund may invest its assets in companies of any size, the Fund generally focuses on large-capitalization companies. Large-capitalization companies are defined by the Fund as those companies with market capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of purchase.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
MFS uses an active “bottom-up” investment approach to buying and selling investments for the Fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of individual issuers and their potential in light of their financial condition, and market, economic, political and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include analysis of an issuer’s earnings, cash flows, competitive position, and management ability. Quantitative screening tools that systematically evaluate an issuer’s valuation, price and earnings momentum, earnings quality, and other factors may also be considered. The Subadviser may sell a holding for a variety of reasons, such as to seek to secure gains, limit losses, or redeploy assets into opportunities believed to be more promising, among others.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying
166 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Prospectus 2019 167

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to
168 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with MFS is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Subadviser
MFS, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2010, is located at 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199. MFS, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. MFS and its predecessor organizations have a history of money management dating from 1924 and the founding of the first U.S. mutual fund. MFS is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Financial Services Holdings, Inc., which in turn is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. (a diversified financial services company). MFS provides investment advisory services to a range of institutional clients and pooled investment vehicles.
Prospectus 2019 169

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Nevin Chitkara   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Steve Gorham   Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of MFS   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Mr. Chitkara has been employed in the investment area of MFS since 1997. Mr. Chitkara earned a B.S. from Boston University and an M.B.A. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mr. Gorham has been employed in the investment area of MFS since 1992. Mr. Gorham earned a B.S. from the University of New Hampshire and an M.B.A. from Boston College.
170 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund has exposure to equity securities. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and limited partnership interests. While the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily focuses on large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging market investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary and information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund typically employs a focused portfolio investing style, which results in fewer holdings than a fund that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a greater number of issuers.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (MSIM or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
The Subadviser emphasizes a bottom-up stock selection process, seeking attractive investments on an individual company basis. In selecting investments, the Subadviser seeks to invest in companies with strong name recognition and sustainable competitive advantages. The Subadviser typically favors companies with rising returns on invested capital, above average business visibility, strong free cash flow generation and an attractive risk/reward.
Fundamental research drives the Subadviser’s investment process. The Subadviser studies on an ongoing basis company developments, including business strategy and financial results. The Subadviser generally considers selling a portfolio holding when it determines that the holding no longer satisfies its investment criteria.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Market Risk , Issuer Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Prospectus 2019 171

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no
172 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Focused Portfolio Risk. The Fund, because it may invest in a limited number of companies, may have more volatility in its NAV and is considered to have more risk than a fund that invests in a greater number of companies because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in fewer securities, the Fund is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Prospectus 2019 173

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Holders of these units have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. These units may be subject to cash flow and dilution risks. There are also certain tax risks associated with such an investment. In particular, the Fund’s investment in master limited partnerships can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify. In addition, conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership, including a conflict arising as a result of incentive distribution payments. In addition, there are risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
174 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary and information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants may be acquired separately or in connection with the acquisition of securities. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and subject the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price), which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the
Prospectus 2019 175

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares below the current market price. Rights are typically short-term instruments that are valued separately and trade in the secondary market during a subscription (or offering) period. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with MSIM is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
MSIM, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2016, is located at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036. MSIM, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. MSIM is organized as a Delaware corporation and has been registered with the SEC since 1981. MSIM provides investment and risk-management solutions to a wide range of investors and institutions including corporations, pension plans, intermediaries, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, endowments and foundations, individual investors (including high net worth), governments and consultant partners worldwide.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (MSIM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Dennis Lynch   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Sam Chainani, CFA   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Jason Yeung, CFA   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Armistead Nash   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
David Cohen   Managing Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Alexander Norton   Executive Director and Investor of MSIM   Portfolio Manager   2016
Mr. Lynch joined MSIM in 1998. Mr. Lynch began his investment career in 1994 and earned a B.A. from Hamilton College and an M.B.A., with honors, in finance from Columbia University.
Mr. Chainani joined MSIM in 1996. Mr. Chainani began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.S. from Binghamton University.
Mr. Yeung joined MSIM in 2002. Mr. Yeung began his investment career in 1997 and earned a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Cambridge.
176 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
Mr. Nash joined MSIM in 2002. Mr. Nash began his investment career in 2000 and earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Mr. Cohen joined MSIM in 1993. Mr. Cohen began his investment career in 1988 and earned a B.S. from Pace University.
Mr. Norton joined MSIM in 1995. Mr. Norton began his investment career in 1990 and earned B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in finance from Columbia Business School.
Prospectus 2019 177

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund’s assets are primarily invested in equity securities of foreign issuers as well as depositary receipts. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities convertible into common stock. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in companies located in at least three countries outside the U.S. From time to time it may place greater emphasis on investing in one or more particular regions such as Asia, Europe or Latin America. The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities that provide exposure to emerging markets. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will emphasize investments in issuers that the portfolio managers consider to be “growth” companies.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (Oppenheimer or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
In selecting investments for the Fund’s portfolio, the Subadviser evaluates investment opportunities on a company-by-company basis. The Subadviser looks primarily for companies with high growth potential using a bottom-up investment approach, that is, by looking at the investment performance of individual stocks before considering the impact of general or industry-specific economic trends. This approach includes fundamental analysis of a company’s financial statements and management structure and consideration of the company’s operations, product development, and industry position.
The Subadviser focuses on the following factors, which may vary in particular cases and may change over time:
Companies that enjoy a strong competitive position and high demand for their products or services;
Companies with accelerating earnings growth and cash flow; and
Diversity among companies, industries and countries to help reduce the risks of foreign investing, such as currency fluctuations and stock market volatility.
The Subadviser also considers the effect of worldwide trends on the growth of particular business sectors and looks for companies that may benefit from those trends. The trends considered include: mass affluence, new technologies, restructuring and aging. The Subadviser does not invest any fixed amount of the Fund’s assets according to these criteria and the trends that are considered may change over time. The Subadviser monitors individual issuers for changes in the factors above, which may trigger a decision to sell a security, but does not require a decision to do so.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Growth Securities Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
178 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the
Prospectus 2019 179

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. A number of countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact that country, other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified in a region with more developed countries and economies. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Continued growth of economies and securities markets in the region will require sustained economic and fiscal discipline, as well as continued commitment to governmental and regulatory reforms. Development also may be influenced by international economic conditions, including those in the United States and Japan, and by world demand for goods or natural resources produced in countries in the Asia Pacific region. Securities markets in the region are generally smaller and have a lower trading volume than those in the United States, which may result in the securities of some companies in the region being less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities. Some currencies, inflation rates or interest rates in the Asia Pacific region are or can be volatile, and some countries in the region may restrict the flow of money in and out of the country. The risks described under “Emerging Market Securities Risk” and  “Foreign Securities Risk” may be more pronounced due to the Fund’s focus on investments in the region.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). European countries can be
180 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the EMU imposes on its members and with which candidates for EMU membership are required to comply. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single EU country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. Unemployment in Europe has historically been higher than in the United States and public deficits are an ongoing concern in many European countries. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. At a referendum in June 2016, the citizens of the UK voted to leave the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”).  However, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.  The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.  The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.  For more information on the risks associated with Brexit, see the Statement of Additional Information. 
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may
Prospectus 2019 181

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or
182 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with Oppenheimer is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
Oppenheimer, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2016, is located at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10281-1008. Oppenheimer, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. Oppenheimer was founded in 1959 and is a leading global asset manager offering investments in every major asset class, both traditional and alternative, and in a variety of investment vehicles.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (Oppenheimer)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
George Evans, CFA   Chief Investment Officer, Equities, of Oppenheimer   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Robert Dunphy, CFA   Vice President of Oppenheimer   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Mr. Evans joined Oppenheimer in 1990. Mr. Evans began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.A. and an M.A. from Oxford University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Dunphy joined Oppenheimer in 2004. Mr. Dunphy began his investment career in 2001 and earned a M.S. in finance from London Business School and a B.S.F.S. in international economics from Georgetown University.
Prospectus 2019 183

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital and income. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
The Subadviser seeks to identify companies that appear to be undervalued by various measures, and may be temporarily out of favor, but, in the opinion of the Subadviser, have good prospects for capital appreciation. In selecting investments, the Subadviser generally looks for one or more of the following:
low price/earnings, price/book value, price/sales, or price/cash flow ratios relative to the broader equity market, the company’s peers, or its own historical norm;
low stock price relative to a company’s underlying asset values;
companies that may benefit from restructuring activity;
a sound balance sheet and other positive financial characteristics; and/or
fundamental or other factors or reasons, including an extraordinary corporate event, a new product introduction or innovation, a favorable competitive development, or a change in management.
The Subadviser may sell securities for a variety of reasons, including, among others, to secure gains, limit losses, or redeploy assets into what are believed to be more promising opportunities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Value Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
184 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be
Prospectus 2019 185

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the financial services sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
186 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with T. Rowe Price is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Subadviser
T. Rowe Price, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since November 2016, is located at 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. T. Rowe Price, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. T. Rowe Price is a Maryland corporation founded in 1937 that provides investment management services to individual and institutional investors, and sponsors and serves as adviser and subadviser to registered investment companies, institutional separate accounts, and common trust funds.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Heather McPherson   Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
T. Rowe Price
  Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Mark Finn, CFA, CPA   Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
T. Rowe Price
  Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
John Linehan, CFA   Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
T. Rowe Price
  Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Ms. McPherson joined T. Rowe Price in 2002. Ms. McPherson began her investment career in 2001 and earned a B.S. from the University of California-Davis and an M.B.A. from Duke University.
Mr. Finn joined T. Rowe Price in 1990. Mr. Finn began his investment career in 1985 and earned a B.S. from the University of Delaware.
Mr. Linehan joined T. Rowe Price in 1998. Mr. Linehan began his investment career in 1987 and earned a B.A. from Amherst College and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
Prospectus 2019 187

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return through current income and capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities, including debt securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, debt securities issued by corporations, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, dollar-denominated securities issued by foreign governments, companies or other entities, bank loans and other obligations. Other obligations include any other security or instrument in which there is a requirement or obligation to repay money borrowed. For purposes of its 80% test, the Fund treats investment in loans as “debt securities,” even though loans may not be “securities” under certain of the federal securities laws. The Fund invests at least 60% of its net assets in debt securities that, at the time of purchase, are rated in at least one of the three highest rating categories or are unrated securities determined to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds). The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity or duration at the Fund level.
The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity and duration will vary over time depending on expectations for market and economic conditions. Duration measures the sensitivity of bond prices to changes in interest rates. The longer the duration of a bond, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, a three-year duration means a bond is expected to decrease in value by 3% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 3% if interest rates fall 1%. A bond is issued with a specific maturity date, which is the date when the issuer must pay back the bond’s principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond’s maturity, the more price risk the Fund and the Fund’s investors face as interest rates rise, but the Fund could receive a higher yield in return for that longer maturity and higher interest rate risk.
Up to 25% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in foreign investments (including in emerging markets), which may include investments of up to 20% of the Fund’s assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. In connection with its strategy relating to foreign investments, the Fund may buy or sell foreign currencies in lieu of or in addition to non-dollar denominated fixed-income securities in order to increase or decrease its exposure to foreign interest rate and/or currency markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) and futures contracts (including interest rate futures) for hedging purposes and to manage duration of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may also hold/invest in cash, money market instruments (which may include investments in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or similar vehicles) or other high-quality, short-term investments, including for the purpose of covering its obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC (TCW or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
188 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
TCW seeks to enhance the Fund's performance through the measured and diversified application of five fixed income management strategies: (1) duration management, (2) yield curve positioning, (3) sector allocation, (4) security selection, and (5) opportunistic execution. TCW's investment philosophy is predicated on a long-term economic outlook, and investments are characterized by diversification among the sectors of the fixed income marketplace. In seeking to identify undervalued securities, TCW focuses on such investment metrics as current yield, potential for price appreciation, position in capital structure relative to other creditors, yield to maturity, rating, duration, and liquidity. The most important facet of TCW's portfolio construction process is the application of independent, bottom-up research in an effort to identify securities that are undervalued and that offer a superior risk/return profile. TCW seeks to control risk through a variety of techniques including diversification, duration constraints, and quantitative scenario analysis.
TCW may sell portfolio securities when it determines to take advantage of a better investment opportunity because TCW believes that its current portfolio securities within its sleeve no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Credit Risk , and Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Confidential Information Access Risk. In many instances, issuers of floating rate loans offer to furnish material, non-public information (Confidential Information) to prospective purchasers or holders of the issuer’s floating rate loans to help potential investors assess the value of the loan. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of Confidential Information about the issuers of floating rate loans being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information from these issuers may disadvantage the Fund as compared to other floating rate loan investors, and may adversely affect the price the Fund pays for the loans it purchases, or the price at which the Fund sells the loans. Further, in situations when holders of floating rate loans are asked, for example, to grant consents, waivers or amendments, the ability to assess the desirability thereof may be compromised. For these and other reasons, it is possible that the decision not to receive Confidential Information could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no
Prospectus 2019 189

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price
190 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
(liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same
Prospectus 2019 191

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa. Restrictions on currency trading may be imposed by foreign countries, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Even though the currencies of some countries may be pegged to the U.S. dollar, the conversion rate may be controlled by government regulation or intervention at levels significantly different than what would normally prevail in a free market. Significant revaluations of the U.S. dollar exchange rate of these currencies could cause substantial reductions in the Fund’s NAV.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses
192 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and
Prospectus 2019 193

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). This exposes the Fund to the risk that the receipt
194 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
of principal and interest payments may be late due to delayed interest settlement. Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if the Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, including the Fund. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders. The remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it. From time to time, disagreements may arise amongst the holders of loans and debt in the capital structure of an issuer, which may give rise to litigation risks, including the risk that a court could take action adverse to the holders of the loan, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee. As an assignee, the Fund will usually succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. Alternatively, the Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and the Fund normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, the Fund would also be subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest would not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund. It may also be difficult for the Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An
Prospectus 2019 195

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
196 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debtholders. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal
Prospectus 2019 197

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with TCW is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
TCW, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since March 2014, is located at 865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017. TCW, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. TCW is an independent registered investment adviser. TCW was organized in 1971 and provides a variety of investment management and investment advisory services.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: TCW Investment Management Company LLC (TCW)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tad Rivelle   Group Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income of TCW since December 2009   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Laird Landmann   Co-Director of Fixed Income and Group Managing Director of TCW   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Stephen Kane, CFA   Group Managing Director of TCW   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Bryan Whalen, CFA   Group Managing Director of TCW   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
198 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
Mr. Rivelle joined TCW in 2009 during the acquisition of MetWest. Prior to joining TCW in December 2009, Mr. Rivelle was Chief Investment Officer, portfolio manager and a founding partner with MetWest since 1996. Mr. Rivelle began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.S. from Yale University, a Master's Degree in applied mathematics from the University of Southern California and an M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson.
Mr. Landmann joined TCW in 2009 during the acquisition of MetWest. Prior to joining TCW in December 2009, Mr. Landmann was a portfolio manager and a founding partner with MetWest since 1996. Mr. Landmann began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.S. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Mr. Kane joined TCW in 2009 during the acquisition of Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (MetWest). Prior to joining TCW in December 2009, Mr. Kane was a portfolio manager and a founding partner with MetWest since 1996. Mr. Kane began his investment career in 1990 and earned a B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Mr. Whalen joined TCW in 2009 during the acquisition of MetWest. Prior to joining TCW in December 2009, Mr. Whalen was co-head of MetWest’s Securitized Products division. Mr. Whalen began his investment career in 1997 and earned a B.A. from Yale University.
Prospectus 2019 199

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ®  – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income consistent with capital preservation. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in U.S. Government obligations, including debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies or government-sponsored entities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets within non-government mortgage and asset-backed securities.
In pursuit of its objective, the Fund will purchase only securities that are rated, at the time of purchase, within the two highest rating categories assigned by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization, or if deemed to be of comparable quality. As part of the Fund’s investment strategy, it may invest in stripped securities (securities that have been transformed from a principal amount with periodic interest coupons into a series of zero-coupon bonds, with the range of maturities matching the coupon payment dates and the redemption date of the principal amount) or enter into mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, the Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies, and to a lesser extent, other securities rated AA- or Aa3 that the Fund’s subadviser believes will sufficiently outperform U.S. Treasuries. Generally, the portfolio’s overall dollar-weighted average effective duration is less than that of a 3-year U.S. Treasury note. Duration measures the sensitivity of bond prices to changes in interest rates. The longer the duration of a bond, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, a three-year duration means a bond is expected to decrease in value by 3% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 3% if interest rates fall 1%.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures), to hedge interest rate exposure of the Fund.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the Subadviser chooses debt securities that it believes:
offer competitive returns;
are undervalued; and/or
offer additional income and/or price appreciation potential relative to other debt securities of similar credit quality and interest rate sensitivity.
In evaluating whether to sell a security, the Subadviser considers, among other factors, whether:
The security has achieved its designed return;
The security or its sector has become overvalued; and/or
A more attractive opportunity becomes available or the security is no longer attractive due to its risk profile or as a result of changes in the overall market environment.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
200 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Credit Risk , and Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying
Prospectus 2019 201

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund
202 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the
Prospectus 2019 203

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in
204 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk (the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested). Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Stripped Securities Risk. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal components of debt securities. These securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, and therefore subject to greater fluctuations in price than typical interest bearing debt securities. For example, stripped mortgage-backed securities have greater interest rate risk than mortgage-backed securities with like maturities, and stripped treasury securities have greater interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) than traditional government securities with identical credit ratings.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Prospectus 2019 205

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds are bonds that do not pay interest in cash on a current basis, but instead accrue interest over the life of the bond. As a result, these securities are issued at a discount and their values may fluctuate more than the values of similar securities that pay interest periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to maturity, interest accrued on these securities is reported as income to the Fund and affects the amounts distributed to its shareholders, which may cause the Fund to sell investments to obtain cash to make income distributions to shareholders, including at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with WellsCap is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Subadviser
WellsCap, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2010, is located at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105. WellsCap, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. WellsCap was established in 1996 and provides advisory and subadvisory services to mutual funds, public and corporate retirement plans, and corporations.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Thomas O’Connor, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Maulik Bhansali, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Jarad Vasquez   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
206 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
Mr. O’Connor joined WellsCap in 2000. Mr. O’Connor began his investment career in 1988 and earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Vermont.
Mr. Bhansali joined WellsCap in 2001. Mr. Bhansali began his investment career in 2001 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and International Studies from Yale University and a Master’s Degree in Financial Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Mr. Vasquez joined WellsCap in 2007. Mr. Vasquez began his investment career in 2001 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Prospectus 2019 207

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. The Fund defines mid-capitalization companies as those companies with a market capitalization that falls within the range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. (Westfield or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
The Fund invests primarily in stocks of domestic growth companies that Westfield believes have a demonstrated record of achievement with excellent prospects for earnings growth over a 1- to 3-year period.
In choosing securities, Westfield looks for companies that it believes are reasonably priced with high forecasted earnings potential. The Fund will invest in companies that Westfield believes have shown above-average and consistent long-term growth in earnings and have excellent prospects for future growth.
The Fund generally will sell a security if one or more of the following occurs: Westfield’s predetermined price target objective is exceeded; there is an alteration to the original investment case; valuation relative to the stock’s peer group is no longer attractive; or better risk/reward opportunities may be found in other stocks.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , Sector Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
208 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of mid-capitalization companies (mid-cap companies) can, in certain circumstances, have more risk than securities of larger capitalization companies (larger companies). For example, mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be difficult and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Prospectus 2019 209

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with Westfield is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadviser began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadviser below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadviser began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadviser’s management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadviser
Westfield, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since September 2017, is located at One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. Westfield, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund, as well as investment research and statistical information under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. Westfield was founded in, and has been a registered investment adviser since, 1989 and provides separate account investment management services for institutions and high net worth individuals.
Portfolio Managers
The Westfield Investment Committee (the “Committee”) is jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day investment decision making for the Fund. Investment decisions for the Fund are made by consensus of the Committee, which is chaired by William A. Muggia. Although the Committee collectively acts as portfolio manager for the Fund, Westfield lists the following Committee members, based on seniority and role within the Committee, as having day-to-day management responsibilities for the Fund.
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. (Westfield)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
William Muggia   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of Westfield   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Richard Lee, CFA   Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of Westfield   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Ethan Meyers, CFA   Director of Research and Managing Partner of Westfield   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. Muggia joined Westfield in 1994. Mr. Muggia began his investment career in 1983 and earned a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Lee joined Westfield in 2004. Mr. Lee began his investment career in 1994 and earned an A.B. from Harvard College.
Mr. Meyers joined Westfield in 1999. Mr. Meyers began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.S. from Tulane University.
210 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund
Investment Objective
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in equity securities.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 75% of its total assets in foreign companies in developed markets (for example, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom) and in emerging markets (for example, China, India and Brazil). The Fund may invest in depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. However, if the Fund’s investments in such companies represent less than a majority of its net assets, the Fund may continue to hold and to make additional investments in an existing company in its portfolio even if that company’s capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion. Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion at the time of initial investment, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of its net assets would be invested in companies whose market capitalizations were under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the industrials sector.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager (CWAM or the Subadviser), which provides day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund.
CWAM believes that stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, which generally are not as well known by financial analysts as larger companies, may offer higher growth potential than stocks of larger companies.
The Subadviser typically seeks companies with:
A strong business franchise that offers growth potential.
Products and services in which the company has a competitive advantage.
A stock price the Subadviser believes is reasonable relative to the assets and earning power of the company.
The Subadviser may sell a portfolio holding if the security reaches the Subadviser's price target, if the company has a deterioration of fundamentals, such as failing to meet key operating benchmarks, or if the Subadviser believes other securities are more attractive. The Subadviser also may sell a portfolio holding to fund redemptions.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Foreign Securities Risk , Emerging Market Securities Risk , Market Risk , and Issuer Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value
Prospectus 2019 211

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign
212 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. A number of countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact that country, other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified in a region with more developed countries and economies. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Continued growth of economies and securities markets in the region will require sustained economic and fiscal discipline, as well as continued commitment to governmental and regulatory reforms. Development also may be influenced by international economic conditions, including those in the United States and Japan, and by world demand for goods or natural resources produced in countries in the Asia Pacific region. Securities markets in the region are generally smaller and have a lower trading volume than those in the United States, which may result in the securities of some companies in the region being less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities. Some currencies, inflation rates or interest rates in the Asia Pacific region are or can be volatile, and some countries in the region may restrict the flow of money in and out of the country. The risks described under “Emerging Market Securities Risk” and  “Foreign Securities Risk” may be more pronounced due to the Fund’s focus on investments in the region.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). European countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the EMU imposes on its members and with which candidates for EMU membership are required to comply. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single EU country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. Unemployment in Europe has historically been higher than in the United States and public deficits are an ongoing concern in many European countries. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. At a referendum in June 2016, the citizens of the UK voted to leave the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”).  However, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.  The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the
Prospectus 2019 213

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
EU on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.  The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.  For more information on the risks associated with Brexit, see the Statement of Additional Information. 
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
214 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the consumer discretionary sector and the industrials sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with CWAM is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Subadviser
CWAM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2010, is located at 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. CWAM, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. CWAM, (operating as a limited partnership prior to May 1, 2010), is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and a Delaware limited liability company. CWAM provides professional management of global equity assets using in-house resources to seek superior long-term results.
Prospectus 2019 215

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Louis J. Mendes, CFA   Director of International Research, Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Tae Han (Simon) Kim, CFA   Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. Mendes has been associated with CWAM or its predecessors as an investment professional since 2001. Mr. Mendes began his investment career in 1986 and earned a B.A. from Columbia University and an M.I.M. from the American Graduate School of International Management.
Mr. Kim has been associated with CWAM as an investment professional since 2011. Mr. Kim began his investment career in 2007 and earned a B.A. from Boston College and an M.B.A from the University of Oxford.
216 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Core Bond Fund
Investment Objective
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while conserving the value of the investment for the longest period of time. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. The Fund invests primarily in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements, as well as invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities of foreign issuers.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadvisers: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (JPMIM) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap) (JPMIM and WellsCap, each a Subadviser and collectively, the Subadvisers). The Subadvisers provide day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund. The Investment Manager, subject to the oversight of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, decides the proportion of the Fund’s assets to be managed by each Subadviser, and may change these proportions at any time. Each Subadviser acts independently of any other Subadviser and uses its own methodology for selecting investments.
Each Subadviser employs an active investment strategy.
JPMIM
JPMIM analyzes four major factors in managing and constructing the Fund’s investment portfolio: duration, market sectors, maturity concentrations and individual securities. JPMIM looks for market sectors and individual securities that it believes will perform well over time. JPMIM selects individual securities after performing a risk/reward analysis that includes an evaluation of interest rate risk, credit risk and the complex legal and technical structure of the transaction.
JPMIM incorporates a bottom-up, value-oriented approach to fixed income investment management, including:
identifying securities that it believes are priced inefficiently;
making sector allocation decisions based on a broad sector outlook, utilizing expected return and valuation analysis;
managing the yield curve, with an emphasis on evaluating relative risk/reward relationships along the yield curve; and
managing portfolio duration, primarily as a risk control measure.
WellsCap
WellsCap uses a bottom-up security selection process, focusing on the more liquid sectors of the bond market and active relative value management. WellsCap manages portfolio duration and yield curve exposure relatively close to that of the benchmark, in order to ensure that security selection is the primary driver of performance.
WellsCap invests in debt securities that they believe offer competitive returns and are undervalued, offering additional income and/or price appreciation potential relative to other debt securities of similar credit quality and interest rate sensitivity. WellsCap may sell a security that has achieved its desired return or if they believe the security or its sector has become overvalued. WellsCap may also sell a security if a more attractive opportunity becomes available or if the security is no longer attractive due to its risk profile or as a result of changes in the overall market environment.
Prospectus 2019 217

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Interest Rate Risk , Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk , and Credit Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign
218 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Prospectus 2019 219

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and
220 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk (the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested). Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
Prospectus 2019 221

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreements with JPMIM and WellsCap is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadvisers began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadvisers below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadvisers began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadvisers’ management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadvisers
JPMIM, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2010, is located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179. JPMIM, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. JPMIM was incorporated in 1984 and provides a broad range of investment strategies to meet the diverse requirements of their clients’ investment needs.
WellsCap, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2017, is located at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105. WellsCap, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. WellsCap was established in 1996 and provides advisory and subadvisory services to mutual funds, public and corporate retirement plans, and corporations.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
222 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
Subadviser: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (JPMIM)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Richard Figuly   Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of JPMIM   Co-Portfolio Manager   2016
Barbara Miller   Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of JPMIM   Co-Portfolio Manager   2015
Justin Rucker   Executive Director and Portfolio Manager of JPMIM   Co-Portfolio Manager   May 2019
Mr. Figuly joined JPMIM in 1993 and is a member of the Global Fixed Income, Currency & Commodities (GFICC) group. Based in Columbus, Mr. Figuly is a portfolio manager for JPMIM’s U.S. Value Driven team and is responsible for managing institutional taxable bond portfolios. Mr. Figuly began his investment career in 1994 and holds a B.S. in finance from Ohio State University.
Ms. Miller joined JPMIM and/or its predecessor in 1994. Ms. Miller is currently the head of the U.S. Value Driven Platform within JPMIM’s Global Fixed Income, Currency & Commodities Group effective September 2015. Ms. Miller also has served as the manager and a senior portfolio manager for JPMIM’s Fixed Income Mid Institutional Taxable Group since 2007 which provides individually managed fixed income investments for fully discretionary, institutional accounts and personal investment management accounts. Ms. Miller began her investment career in 1978 and holds a B.S. in Finance and Banking from Franklin University.
Mr. Rucker joined JPMIM in 2006 and is a member of the Global Fixed Income, Currency & Commodities (GFICC) group. Mr. Rucker is a portfolio manager for JPMIM’s U.S. Value Driven team and is responsible for managing Long Duration and Core Bond institutional taxable bond portfolios. Mr. Rucker began his investment career in 1999 and holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Dayton and an M.B.A. from Capital University.
Subadviser: Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Thomas O’Connor, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Maulik Bhansali, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Jarad Vasquez   Senior Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. O’Connor joined WellsCap in 2000. Mr. O’Connor began his investment career in 1988 and earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Vermont.
Mr. Bhansali joined WellsCap in 2001. Mr. Bhansali began his investment career in 2001 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and International Studies from Yale University and a Master’s Degree in Financial Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Mr. Vasquez joined WellsCap in 2007. Mr. Vasquez began his investment career in 2001 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Prospectus 2019 223

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in the equity securities of small-capitalization companies. Small-capitalization companies are defined as those companies with a market capitalization, at the time of purchase, of up to $2.5 billion, or that fall within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $8.3 million to $8.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the health care sector, industrials sector, and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s subadvisers: BMO Asset Management Corp. (BMO) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap) (BMO and WellsCap, each a Subadviser and collectively, the Subadvisers). The Subadvisers provide day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund. The Investment Manager, subject to the oversight of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, decides the proportion of the Fund’s assets to be managed by each Subadviser, and may change these proportions at any time. Each Subadviser acts independently of any other Subadviser and uses its own methodology for selecting investments. Each Subadviser employs an active investment strategy. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
BMO
BMO seeks to integrate fundamental and quantitative investing. BMO focuses on company fundamentals by using a quantitative process to identify companies that, in BMO’s opinion, exhibit good value based on a comparison of price to a fundamentals-based intrinsic value, the quality and sustainability of a company’s underlying fundamentals such as growth, profitability, earnings quality, capital usage efficiency and operating trends, and improving investor interest. BMO’s quantitative process uses a multi-factor risk/return investment model based on internal research and academic studies to select investments for its sleeve. The model ranks each stock in order of attractiveness. BMO periodically modifies the investment model based upon its fundamental analysis of the output of the model and the designated risk parameters. BMO selects securities generated by the model based on a goal of optimizing its sleeve by constructing a diversified portfolio intended to maximize expected risk-adjusted returns.
BMO’s integrated process is grounded in two core beliefs:
Companies that are undervalued relative to their fundamentals and exhibit improving investor interest outperform the market over the long run
A systematic approach to stock evaluation and portfolio construction maximizes risk-adjusted returns over full market cycles
BMO may sell a security when its expected return deteriorates; when BMO believes its exclusion improves the overall risk/return profile of the portfolio; or for other reasons.
224 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
WellsCap
WellsCap invests principally in equity securities of small-capitalization companies in the emerging phases of their life cycle that the investment team believes have prospects for robust and sustainable growth of revenues, cash flows and earnings. WellsCap believes realized revenue, cash flows and earnings growth relative to market expectations are critical factors in determining stock price movements. Thus, the investment process is centered on identifying emerging growth companies with under-appreciated prospects for robust and sustainable growth in revenue, cash flow and earnings.
WellsCap uses bottom-up research to attempt to identify fast growing stocks within each industry in which it invests. Next, WellsCap attempts to measure the sustainability of that growth through its own assessment of future revenue, cash flow and earnings growth along with other key financial metrics. WellsCap then compares its expectation for growth with what the market is discounting for growth. When a positive gap between what WellsCap expects for growth and what the market expects for growth exists, WellsCap may establish or increase a position. Alternatively, WellsCap may trim or eliminate positions where that gap narrows or dissipates entirely. WellsCap also may trim or sell positions when it sees a deterioration in fundamentals that it believes could negatively impact the company’s prospective growth profile or the profitability potential of its business model. Lastly, WellsCap may also sell or trim a position to raise cash to fund client redemptions or to purchase a different security that the team believes offers a superior return on investment.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Growth Securities Risk , Issuer Risk , and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Securities of small-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger-capitalization companies but may also have more risk. For example, small-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those
Prospectus 2019 225

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the health care sector, industrials sector, and the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Health Care Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the health care sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid
226 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Portfolio Management
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreements with WellsCap and BMO are available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The date the Subadvisers began serving the Fund is set forth under Subadvisers below. Any performance of the Fund prior to the date the Subadvisers began serving was achieved by one or more different subadvisers. Similarly, the portfolio turnover rate for periods prior to the Subadvisers’ management of the Fund was the result of management by one or more different subadvisers. A change in subadvisers may result in increased portfolio turnover.
Subadvisers
BMO, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2017, is located at 115 South LaSalle Street, 11th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60603. BMO, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. BMO was established in 1989 and provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to: (i) institutions, including pension and other employee benefit plans, trusts, endowments and foundations, investment companies (including mutual funds), private pooled vehicles, insurance companies and corporations; (ii) individuals; (iii) third-party sponsors of, and clients participating in, wrap-fee programs; and (iv) common and collective portfolios for which BMO Harris Bank, N.A., an affiliate of BMO, acts as trustee.
WellsCap, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund since May 2010, is located at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105. WellsCap, subject to the supervision of Columbia Management, provides day-to-day management of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, under a subadvisory agreement with Columbia Management. WellsCap was established in 1996 and provides advisory and subadvisory services to mutual funds, public and corporate retirement plans, and corporations.
Prospectus 2019 227

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: BMO Asset Management Corp. (BMO)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
David Corris, CFA   Portfolio Manager of BMO   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Thomas Lettenberger, CFA   Portfolio Manager of BMO   Co-Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. Corris joined BMO in 2008. Mr. Corris began his investment career in 1999 and earned a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Mr. Lettenberger joined BMO in 2005. Mr. Lettenberger began his investment career in 1994 and earned a B.B.A. and a M.A. from the University of Michigan.
Subadviser: Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap)
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Joseph Eberhardy, CFA, CPA   Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Thomas Ognar, CFA   Portfolio Manager of WellsCap   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Mr. Eberhardy joined WellsCap in 2005 as part of WellsCap’s acquisition of Strong Capital Management, which he joined in 1994. Mr. Eberhardy began his investment career in 1994 and earned a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Mr. Ognar joined WellsCap in 2005 as part of WellsCap’s acquisition of Strong Capital Management, which he joined in 1998. Mr. Ognar began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.S. from Miami University and an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
228 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds
References to “the Fund” throughout the remainder of the prospectus refer to the VP Funds singularly or collectively as the context requires.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the SAI. The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com. Portfolio holdings are not currently available on the website for all Funds.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated
Prospectus 2019 229

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral.
The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
230 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedleus.com) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI. Portfolio holdings are not currently available on the website for all Funds.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the
Prospectus 2019 231

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
  Class 1 Class 2
Columbia VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund 0.49% 0.74%
CTIVP ® - American Century Diversified Bond Fund 0.56% 0.81%
CTIVP ® - AQR International Core Equity Fund 0.88% 1.13%
CTIVP ® - DFA International Value Fund 0.88% 1.13%
CTIVP ® - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund 0.77% 1.02%
CTIVP ® - Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund 0.73% 0.98%
CTIVP ® - T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund 0.71% 0.96%
CTIVP ® - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund 0.46% 0.71%
CTIVP ® - Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.84% 1.09%
VP - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund 1.08% 1.33%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
232 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Also, for the funds listed below, the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below), so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
  Class 1 Class 2
Columbia VP - U.S. Equities Fund 0.88% 1.13%
CTIVP ® - CenterSquare Real Estate Fund 0.91% 1.16%
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Value Fund 0.73% 0.98%
CTIVP ® - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund 0.78% 1.03%
CTIVP ® - Oppenheimer International Growth Fund 0.92% 1.17%
CTIVP ® - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 0.56% 0.81%
VP - Partners Core Bond Fund 0.56% 0.81%
VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 0.89% 1.14%
Under the arrangement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest and infrequent and/or unusual expenses. This arrangement may be revised or discontinued at any time.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In
Prospectus 2019 233

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund. The Investment Manager is responsible for the investment management of the Fund, but has delegated certain of its duties, including day-to-day portfolio management of all or a portion of certain Fund’s assets to one or more investment subadvisers, as described in this prospectus, including determining the securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing these portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to the amount shown in the table below, as a percent of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
    
  Management fee
for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018
Columbia VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund 0.48%
Columbia VP - U.S. Equities Fund 0.84%
CTIVP ® - American Century Diversified Bond Fund 0.47%
CTIVP ® - AQR International Core Equity Fund 0.81%
CTIVP ® - CenterSquare Real Estate Fund 0.75%
CTIVP ® - DFA International Value Fund 0.81%
CTIVP ® - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund 0.67%
CTIVP ® - Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund 0.68%
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Value Fund 0.67%
CTIVP ® - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund 0.66%
CTIVP ® - Oppenheimer International Growth Fund 0.89%
CTIVP ® - T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund 0.66%
CTIVP ® - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 0.48%
CTIVP ® - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund 0.43%
CTIVP ® - Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.81%
VP - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund 1.00%
VP - Partners Core Bond Fund 0.48%
VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 0.86%
234 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
In March 2018, the Board approved a reduction in the management fee rates payable to the Investment Manager by CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund . The new management fee, which became effective May 1, 2018, is equal to 0.870% of the Fund’s net assets on the first $0.5 billion, gradually reducing to 0.670% as assets increase.
In June 2018, the Board approved a reduction in the management fee rates payable to the Investment Manager by VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund and CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund . The new management fee, which became effective July 1, 2018, is equal to 0.970% of the Fund’s net assets on the first $0.5 billion, gradually reducing to 0.770% for VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund and is equal to 0.920% of the Fund’s net assets on the first $0.5 billion, gradually reducing to 0.750% for CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund .
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
Prospectus 2019 235

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
236 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1 and Class 2 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor.
Investment Limits none none
Conversion Features none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract, qualified pension or retirement plan sponsors or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
Prospectus 2019 237

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide Shareholder Services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
238 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
Prospectus 2019 239

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Shareholder Information
Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. Your product may not offer every share class. The Fund encourages you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions and for more information about the share classes offered by the Fund and available under your product. Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts and Qualified Plan sponsors.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners or participants in a Qualified Plan. When you sell your shares through your Contract or Qualified Plan, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract, participant in a Qualified Plan or qualified institutional investor who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or Qualified Plan or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts or the Qualified Plan.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event
240 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase only through Contracts offered by participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners, and the interests of Qualified Plan participants, if any, may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract or Qualified Plan. Any charges that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans that may own shares directly, are described in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract or Qualified Plan. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, as applicable, for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
Prospectus 2019 241

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
242 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
Prospectus 2019 243

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases.
Each of Columbia VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund, CTIVP ® - American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® - AQR International Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® - CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® - DFA International Value Fund, CTIVP ® - Oppenheimer International Growth Fund, CTIVP ® - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund, VP - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, and VP - Partners Core Bond Fund (the RIC Funds) intend to qualify and to be eligible for treatment each year as a regulated investment company. For the RIC Funds, while a fund continues to hold an investment, any gain is generally unrealized. If the fund sells an investment, it generally will realize a capital gain if it sells that investment for a higher price than its adjusted cost basis, and will generally realize a capital loss if it sells that investment for a lower price than its adjusted cost basis. Capital gains and losses are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund holds the securities for one year or less (short-term) or more than one year (long-term).
Mutual funds treated as regulated investment companies for tax purposes are required to make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund.
Each of Columbia VP - U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® - Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, CTIVP ® - MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® - T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® - Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, and VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (the Partnership Funds) expect to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes. Each Partnership Fund is not required to and does not expect to make regular distributions to its shareholders (other than in redemption of Fund shares), but may do so in the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or its delegates).
Each RIC Fund may make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a RIC Fund's distributed income, including capital gains. Reinvesting your distributions buys you more shares of a Fund — which lets you take advantage of the potential for compound growth. Putting the money you earn back into your investment means it, in turn, may earn even more money (or be exposed to additional losses, if the fund earns a negative return). Over time, the power of compounding has the potential to significantly increase the value of your investment. There is no assurance, however, that you'll earn more money if you reinvest your distributions rather than receive them in cash.
Each RIC Fund intends to pay out, in the form of distributions to shareholders, a sufficient amount of its income and gains so that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and generally will not have to pay any federal excise tax. Each RIC Fund generally intends to distribute any net realized capital gain (whether long-term or short-term gain) at least once a year. Normally, the Fund will declare and pay distributions of net investment income according to the following schedule:
    
RIC Fund Declarations Distributions
Columbia VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund Annually Annually
CTIVP ® - American Century Diversified Bond Fund Annually Annually
CTIVP ® - AQR International Core Equity Fund Quarterly Quarterly
CTIVP ® - CenterSquare Real Estate Fund Annually Annually
CTIVP ® - DFA International Value Fund Quarterly Quarterly
CTIVP ® - Oppenheimer International Growth Fund Quarterly Quarterly
CTIVP ® - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund Annually Annually
CTIVP ® - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund Annually Annually
VP - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund Quarterly Quarterly
244 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
RIC Fund Declarations Distributions
VP - Partners Core Bond Fund Annually Annually
The RIC Funds may, however, declare or pay distributions of net investment income more frequently. Different share classes of the Fund usually pay different net investment income distribution amounts, because each class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the NAV per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution. Each RIC Fund will automatically reinvest distributions in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund unless you inform us you want to receive your distributions to be paid in cash.
Taxes and Your Investment
Each Partnership Fund expects to be treated as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a Partnership Fund were not to qualify for such treatment, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the Fund level, which would reduce the value of an investment in the Fund.
As a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership,” each Partnership Fund is not itself subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, each shareholder will be required to take into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of the Partnership Fund’s income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and other tax items, without regard to whether such shareholder has received or will receive corresponding distributions from the Fund.
Each RIC Fund intends to qualify and be eligible for treatment each year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in fund level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you.
Shares of the Funds are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Review your Contract prospectus to determine the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes allocations or distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts, or, for Partnership Funds, if the Fund does not qualify for treatment as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership.”
Prospectus 2019 245

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
246 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 247

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.44 0.21 (0.19) 0.02 (0.18) (0.18)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.47 0.17 0.02 0.19 (0.22) (0.22)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.34 0.20 0.31 0.51 (0.38) (0.38)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.12 0.25 (0.47) (0.22) (0.56) (0.56)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.45 0.21 (0.14) 0.07 (0.19) (0.21) (0.40)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.40 0.19 (0.19) 0.00 (0.16) (0.16)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.43 0.15 0.02 0.17 (0.20) (0.20)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.30 0.17 0.32 0.49 (0.36) (0.36)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.07 0.22 (0.45) (0.23) (0.54) (0.54)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.41 0.19 (0.15) 0.04 (0.17) (0.21) (0.38)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
248 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – Limited Duration
Credit Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.28 0.24% 0.50% 0.50% 2.30% 62% $707,421
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.44 2.05% 0.53% 0.53% 1.79% 104% $773,190
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.47 5.53% 0.55% 0.55% 2.14% 102% $845,695
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.34 (2.31%) 0.54% 0.54% 2.46% 78% $887,028
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.12 0.66% 0.56% 0.55% 1.97% 78% $2,450,406
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.24 (0.02%) 0.75% 0.75% 2.06% 62% $46,253
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.40 1.80% 0.78% 0.78% 1.55% 104% $40,342
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.43 5.28% 0.81% 0.80% 1.85% 102% $35,554
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.30 (2.49%) 0.80% 0.79% 2.29% 78% $22,577
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.07 0.31% 0.81% 0.80% 1.83% 78% $20,712
  
Prospectus 2019 249

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 251

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.02 0.11 (3.34) (3.23)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.81 0.11 2.10 2.21
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.69 0.07 3.05 3.12
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.88 0.08 (1.27) (1.19)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.29 (0.04) 0.63 0.59
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.58 0.05 (3.26) (3.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.46 0.06 2.06 2.12
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.44 0.03 2.99 3.02
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.67 (0.01) (1.22) (1.23)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.12 (0.08) 0.63 0.55
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
252 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — Columbia VP – U.S. Equities Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.79 (14.03%) 0.86% 0.86% 0.46% 80% $831,256
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $23.02 10.62% 0.89% 0.89% 0.53% 87% $1,040,129
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.81 17.64% 0.91% 0.91% 0.40% 103% $1,110,559
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.69 (6.30%) 0.92% 0.92% 0.43% 98% $1,393,433
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.88 3.23% 1.03% 0.96% (0.24%) 10% $331,643
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.37 (14.22%) 1.11% 1.11% 0.21% 80% $13,907
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.58 10.36% 1.14% 1.14% 0.30% 87% $16,964
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.46 17.32% 1.16% 1.16% 0.16% 103% $14,888
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.44 (6.59%) 1.20% 1.20% (0.08%) 98% $13,465
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.67 3.04% 1.29% 1.21% (0.47%) 10% $14,801
  
Prospectus 2019 253

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 255

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $11.15 0.37 (0.49) (0.12) (0.31) (0.07) (0.38)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.95 0.30 0.23 0.53 (0.26) (0.07) (0.33)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.76 0.27 0.13 0.40 (0.20) (0.01) (0.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.05 0.23 (0.23) 0.00 (d) (0.24) (0.05) (0.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.60 0.23 0.41 0.64 (0.18) (0.01) (0.19)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $11.11 0.34 (0.49) (0.15) (0.28) (0.07) (0.35)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.91 0.27 0.23 0.50 (0.23) (0.07) (0.30)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.72 0.24 0.13 0.37 (0.17) (0.01) (0.18)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.01 0.20 (0.22) (0.02) (0.22) (0.05) (0.27)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.56 0.20 0.41 0.61 (0.15) (0.01) (0.16)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interest on collateral expense which is less than 0.01%.
(d) Rounds to zero.
256 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.65 (1.05%) 0.48% (c) 0.48% (c) 3.42% 136% $1,992,309
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $11.15 4.89% 0.52% 0.52% 2.74% 142% $3,933,591
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.95 3.66% 0.55% 0.55% 2.42% 170% $4,086,952
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.76 0.05% 0.55% 0.55% 2.07% 223% $4,256,477
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.05 6.06% 0.57% 0.56% 2.10% 214% $3,199,340
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.61 (1.31%) 0.73% (c) 0.73% (c) 3.17% 136% $13,100
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $11.11 4.65% 0.77% 0.77% 2.50% 142% $11,701
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.91 3.42% 0.80% 0.80% 2.18% 170% $10,346
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.72 (0.20%) 0.80% 0.80% 1.83% 223% $7,924
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.01 5.81% 0.82% 0.81% 1.85% 214% $6,372
  
Prospectus 2019 257

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 259

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $11.92 0.25 (2.18) (1.93) (0.26) (0.03) (0.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.91 0.20 2.02 2.22 (0.21) (0.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.48 0.20 (0.54) (0.34) (0.23) (0.23)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.99 0.15 (0.16) (0.01) (0.16) (0.34) (0.50)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.99 0.23 (0.99) (0.76) (0.22) (1.02) (1.24)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $11.84 0.22 (2.16) (1.94) (0.23) (0.03) (0.26)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.86 0.17 2.00 2.17 (0.19) (0.19)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.43 0.18 (0.54) (0.36) (0.21) (0.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.94 0.13 (0.16) (0.03) (0.14) (0.34) (0.48)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.95 0.19 (0.99) (0.80) (0.19) (1.02) (1.21)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
260 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.70 (16.53%) 0.83% 0.83% 2.23% 105% $2,766,782
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $11.92 22.56% 0.92% 0.92% 1.79% 68% $2,606,365
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.91 (3.24%) 0.97% 0.96% 2.04% 50% $2,317,135
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.48 (0.41%) 0.97% 0.97% 1.37% 52% $2,317,553
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.99 (6.73%) 0.99% 0.99% 1.86% 55% $1,523,162
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.64 (16.69%) 1.08% 1.08% 1.99% 105% $6,925
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $11.84 22.14% 1.17% 1.17% 1.50% 68% $8,554
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.86 (3.44%) 1.22% 1.21% 1.85% 50% $6,722
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.43 (0.60%) 1.22% 1.22% 1.13% 52% $7,749
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.94 (7.02%) 1.24% 1.24% 1.60% 55% $4,652
  
Prospectus 2019 261

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 263

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $8.64 0.17 (0.64) (0.47) (0.16) (0.07) (0.23)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.59 0.17 0.33 0.50 (0.19) (0.26) (0.45)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.83 0.19 0.28 (c) 0.47 (0.17) (0.54) (0.71)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.26 0.17 (0.31) (0.14) (0.76) (1.53) (2.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.71 0.33 1.28 1.61 (0.27) (1.79) (2.06)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $8.59 0.15 (0.64) (0.49) (0.14) (0.07) (0.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.54 0.15 0.32 0.47 (0.16) (0.26) (0.42)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.78 0.16 0.29 (c) 0.45 (0.15) (0.54) (0.69)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.20 0.15 (0.31) (0.16) (0.73) (1.53) (2.26)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.66 0.30 1.27 1.57 (0.24) (1.79) (2.03)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
264 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $7.94 (5.58%) 0.77% 0.77% 2.03% 51% $402,354
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.64 6.01% 0.81% 0.81% 2.00% 72% $426,287
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.59 5.02% 0.89% 0.88% 2.16% 83% $402,023
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.83 (0.99%) 1.07% 1.01% 1.72% 27% $188,580
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.26 14.14% 1.05% 0.90% 2.81% 25% $214,639
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $7.89 (5.85%) 1.02% 1.02% 1.76% 51% $24,164
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $8.59 5.74% 1.06% 1.06% 1.76% 72% $27,353
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.54 4.76% 1.17% 1.15% 1.82% 83% $25,298
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.78 (1.21%) 1.32% 1.26% 1.53% 27% $22,032
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.20 13.81% 1.30% 1.15% 2.60% 25% $17,893
  
Prospectus 2019 265

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 267

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $11.47 0.29 (2.23) (1.94) (0.31) (0.05) (0.36)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.34 0.26 2.09 2.35 (0.22) (0.22)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.91 0.25 0.46 0.71 (0.24) (0.04) (0.28)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.03 0.22 (0.92) (0.70) (0.21) (0.21) (0.42)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.55 0.28 (1.06) (0.78) (0.28) (0.46) (0.74)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $11.44 0.26 (2.22) (1.96) (0.28) (0.05) (0.33)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.33 0.23 2.08 2.31 (0.20) (0.20)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.90 0.22 0.47 0.69 (0.22) (0.04) (0.26)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.01 0.20 (0.92) (0.72) (0.18) (0.21) (0.39)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $11.53 0.25 (1.06) (0.81) (0.25) (0.46) (0.71)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
268 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – DFA International Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.17 (17.30%) 0.83% 0.83% 2.70% 16% $821,718
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $11.47 25.44% 0.86% 0.86% 2.48% 9% $1,759,557
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.34 8.33% 0.91% (c) 0.91% (c) 2.89% 17% $2,000,961
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.91 (7.40%) 0.98% 0.98% 2.25% 12% $1,987,543
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.03 (7.46%) 0.99% 0.89% 2.50% 13% $1,508,393
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.15 (17.48%) 1.09% 1.09% 2.41% 16% $19,537
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $11.44 25.02% 1.11% 1.11% 2.18% 9% $20,666
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.33 8.08% 1.16% (c) 1.16% (c) 2.52% 17% $12,345
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.90 (7.56%) 1.23% 1.23% 2.06% 12% $10,494
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.01 (7.71%) 1.24% 1.14% 2.25% 13% $6,751
  
Prospectus 2019 269

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 271

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $29.20 0.17 (0.87) (0.70)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.95 0.10 7.15 7.25
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.75 0.15 1.05 1.20
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.76 0.12 1.87 1.99
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.66 0.10 2.00 2.10
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $28.66 0.10 (0.86) (0.76)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.60 0.03 7.03 7.06
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.46 0.09 1.05 1.14
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.55 0.07 1.84 1.91
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.51 0.06 1.98 2.04
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
272 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $28.50 (2.40%) 0.70% 0.70% 0.57% 8% $1,929,781
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $29.20 33.03% 0.72% 0.72% 0.39% 5% $1,989,749
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.95 5.78% 0.73% 0.73% 0.72% 19% $2,398,329
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.75 10.61% 0.75% 0.75% 0.60% 14% $2,206,011
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.76 12.61% 0.77% 0.77% 0.58% 103% $1,285,907
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $27.90 (2.65%) 0.95% 0.95% 0.32% 8% $44,937
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $28.66 32.68% 0.97% 0.97% 0.10% 5% $45,101
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.60 5.57% 0.98% 0.98% 0.41% 19% $34,617
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.46 10.30% 1.00% 1.00% 0.38% 14% $6,399
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.55 12.36% 1.02% 1.02% 0.33% 103% $4,499
  
Prospectus 2019 273

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 275

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.55 0.10 (0.37) (0.27)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.25 0.11 6.19 6.30
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.75 0.02 (0.52) (0.50)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.54 (0.00) (c) 1.21 1.21
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.70 (0.00) (c) 1.84 1.84
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.04 0.03 (0.36) (0.33)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.91 0.04 6.09 6.13
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.44 (0.03) (0.50) (0.53)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.31 (0.05) 1.18 1.13
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.53 (0.05) 1.83 1.78
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Rounds to zero.
276 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.28 (1.02%) 0.69% 0.69% 0.36% 95% $1,569,200
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.55 31.11% 0.73% 0.73% 0.44% 145% $1,593,067
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.25 (2.41%) 0.77% 0.77% 0.10% 91% $972,895
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.75 6.19% 0.76% 0.76% (0.01%) 64% $1,453,564
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.54 10.40% 0.76% 0.76% (0.02%) 71% $1,522,909
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $25.71 (1.27%) 0.94% 0.94% 0.12% 95% $11,330
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.04 30.79% 0.98% 0.98% 0.17% 145% $9,829
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.91 (2.59%) 1.02% 1.02% (0.15%) 91% $7,076
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $20.44 5.85% 1.01% 1.01% (0.26%) 64% $6,258
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $19.31 10.15% 1.01% 1.01% (0.27%) 71% $4,383
  
Prospectus 2019 277

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 279

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.96 0.50 (3.00) (2.50)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.22 0.42 3.32 3.74
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.61 0.37 2.24 2.61
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.75 0.59 (d) (0.73) (0.14)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.99 0.31 1.45 1.76
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $24.50 0.44 (2.95) (2.51)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.88 0.35 3.27 3.62
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.36 0.33 2.19 2.52
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.54 0.59 (e) (0.77) (0.18)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.84 0.26 1.44 1.70
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interfund lending expense which is less than 0.01%.
(d) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.28 per share.
(e) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.33 per share.
280 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – MFS® Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.46 (10.02%) 0.69% (c) 0.69% (c) 2.00% 8% $1,588,214
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.96 17.62% 0.71% 0.71% 1.84% 13% $2,203,985
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.22 14.03% 0.74% 0.74% 1.89% 23% $1,995,300
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.61 (0.75%) 0.73% 0.73% 3.14% 16% $1,925,986
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.75 10.36% 0.73% 0.73% 1.75% 13% $2,364,990
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.99 (10.25%) 0.94% (c) 0.94% (c) 1.80% 8% $45,033
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $24.50 17.34% 0.96% 0.96% 1.57% 13% $49,410
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.88 13.73% 1.00% 1.00% 1.71% 23% $33,917
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.36 (0.97%) 0.99% 0.99% 3.15% 16% $19,747
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.54 10.09% 0.98% 0.98% 1.48% 13% $13,953
  
Prospectus 2019 281

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 283

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $27.18 0.02 0.77 0.79
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.50 (0.01) 6.69 6.68
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.85 0.08 0.57 0.65
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.60 0.71 (c) 0.54 1.25
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.33 0.05 1.22 1.27
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $26.67 (0.06) 0.76 0.70
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.17 (0.06) 6.56 6.50
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.57 0.03 0.57 0.60
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.39 0.59 (d) 0.59 1.18
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.18 0.00 (e) 1.21 1.21
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.64 per share.
(d) Net investment income per share includes special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.57 per share.
(e) Rounds to zero.
284 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $27.97 2.91% 0.67% 0.67% 0.07% 71% $1,893,796
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $27.18 32.58% 0.72% 0.72% (0.03%) 68% $1,804,566
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.50 3.27% 0.78% 0.78% 0.42% 130% $1,063,778
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.85 6.72% 0.76% 0.76% 3.63% 27% $1,209,405
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.60 7.33% 0.76% 0.76% 0.27% 18% $1,374,918
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $27.37 2.62% 0.92% 0.92% (0.19%) 71% $13,254
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $26.67 32.23% 0.97% 0.97% (0.28%) 68% $9,269
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.17 3.07% 1.03% 1.03% 0.16% 130% $6,769
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $19.57 6.42% 1.01% 1.01% 3.08% 27% $7,758
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.39 7.04% 1.01% 1.01% 0.03% 18% $5,944
  
Prospectus 2019 285

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 287

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $12.29 0.11 (2.35) (2.24) (0.12) (0.47) (0.59)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.70 0.11 2.65 2.76 (0.09) (1.08) (1.17)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $11.36 0.15 (0.54) (0.39) (0.15) (0.12) (0.27)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.46 0.17 (0.41) (0.24) (0.17) (0.69) (0.86)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.63 0.20 (0.11) 0.09 (0.24) (1.02) (1.26)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $12.24 0.07 (2.32) (2.25) (0.10) (0.47) (0.57)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.66 0.08 2.64 2.72 (0.06) (1.08) (1.14)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $11.32 0.12 (0.53) (0.41) (0.13) (0.12) (0.25)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.42 0.13 (0.40) (0.27) (0.14) (0.69) (0.83)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.60 0.16 (0.11) 0.05 (0.21) (1.02) (1.23)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
288 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.46 (18.95%) 0.91% 0.91% 0.92% 19% $793,614
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.29 26.87% 0.95% 0.95% 0.93% 22% $1,682,196
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.70 (3.47%) 0.96% 0.96% 1.37% 94% $2,270,612
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.36 (2.27%) 0.97% 0.97% 1.38% 19% $2,299,811
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.46 0.19% 0.98% 0.98% 1.53% 23% $2,116,606
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.42 (19.10%) 1.17% 1.17% 0.64% 19% $29,694
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.24 26.56% 1.20% 1.20% 0.67% 22% $33,356
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.66 (3.66%) 1.21% 1.21% 1.11% 94% $21,570
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.32 (2.54%) 1.22% 1.22% 1.09% 19% $20,973
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.42 (0.08%) 1.23% 1.23% 1.23% 23% $12,163
  
Prospectus 2019 289

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 291

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.81 0.44 (2.56) (2.12)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.62 0.37 2.82 3.19
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.16 0.41 2.05 2.46
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.69 0.42 (1.95) (1.53)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.03 0.38 1.28 1.66
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.38 0.38 (2.51) (2.13)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.30 0.31 2.77 3.08
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.92 0.36 2.02 2.38
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.48 0.37 (1.93) (1.56)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $16.87 0.33 1.28 1.61
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
292 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.69 (9.30%) 0.67% 0.67% 1.91% 20% $1,939,941
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.81 16.26% 0.70% 0.70% 1.75% 32% $2,481,560
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.62 14.34% 0.75% 0.75% 2.30% 108% $2,168,289
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.16 (8.19%) 0.75% 0.75% 2.32% 59% $1,894,441
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.69 9.75% 0.74% 0.74% 2.10% 32% $2,105,199
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.25 (9.52%) 0.92% 0.92% 1.70% 20% $20,084
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.38 15.96% 0.94% 0.94% 1.52% 32% $17,050
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.30 14.07% 1.00% 1.00% 2.05% 108% $10,555
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $16.92 (8.44%) 1.00% 1.00% 2.06% 59% $8,459
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.48 9.54% 0.99% 0.99% 1.85% 32% $9,505
  
Prospectus 2019 293

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 295

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.62 0.27 (0.27) 0.00 (0.22) (0.02) (0.24)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.48 0.21 0.14 0.35 (0.17) (0.04) (0.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.40 0.17 0.08 0.25 (0.13) (0.04) (0.17)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.47 0.14 (0.12) 0.02 (0.09) (0.00) (c) (0.09)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.02 0.16 0.36 0.52 (0.07) (0.07)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.58 0.25 (0.26) (0.01) (0.20) (0.02) (0.22)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.44 0.18 0.15 0.33 (0.15) (0.04) (0.19)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.36 0.15 0.08 0.23 (0.11) (0.04) (0.15)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.43 0.12 (0.13) (0.01) (0.06) (0.00) (c) (0.06)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.99 0.14 0.34 0.48 (0.04) (0.04)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Rounds to zero.
296 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.38 0.06% 0.49% 0.49% 2.61% 178% $2,714,909
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.62 3.40% 0.52% 0.52% 1.97% 281% $2,979,922
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.48 2.41% 0.56% 0.55% 1.61% 276% $3,079,179
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.40 0.19% 0.58% 0.56% 1.35% 351% $3,154,641
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.47 5.15% 0.60% 0.58% 1.57% 448% $2,130,226
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.35 (0.10%) 0.74% 0.74% 2.38% 178% $7,961
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.58 3.15% 0.77% 0.77% 1.73% 281% $7,071
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.44 2.17% 0.81% 0.80% 1.38% 276% $6,052
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.36 (0.06%) 0.83% 0.81% 1.10% 351% $4,137
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.43 4.81% 0.85% 0.83% 1.33% 448% $3,147
  
Prospectus 2019 297

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 299

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.06 0.20 (0.10) 0.10 (0.13) (0.13)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.08 0.12 (0.04) 0.08 (0.10) (0.00) (c) (0.10)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.11 0.09 0.02 0.11 (0.10) (0.04) (0.14)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.18 0.07 (0.04) 0.03 (0.10) (0.10)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.14 0.05 0.04 0.09 (0.05) (0.05)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.01 0.17 (0.09) 0.08 (0.10) (0.10)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.04 0.09 (0.05) 0.04 (0.07) (0.00) (c) (0.07)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.07 0.06 0.02 0.08 (0.07) (0.04) (0.11)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.14 0.04 (0.03) 0.01 (0.08) (0.08)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.09 0.03 0.04 0.07 (0.02) (0.02)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Rounds to zero.
300 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.03 0.96% 0.44% 0.44% 1.97% 414% $1,944,337
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.06 0.80% 0.47% 0.47% 1.15% 290% $956,370
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.08 1.03% 0.56% 0.55% 0.86% 343% $1,056,643
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.11 0.32% 0.60% 0.60% 0.64% 375% $1,197,705
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.18 0.86% 0.59% 0.59% 0.54% 445% $2,321,423
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.99 0.81% 0.69% 0.69% 1.68% 414% $25,361
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.01 0.45% 0.72% 0.72% 0.91% 290% $22,203
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.04 0.78% 0.80% 0.80% 0.63% 343% $22,083
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.07 0.07% 0.86% 0.85% 0.40% 375% $13,574
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.14 0.71% 0.84% 0.84% 0.31% 445% $6,479
  
Prospectus 2019 301

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 303

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $23.43 0.01 (0.80) (0.79)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.06 0.01 4.36 4.37
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.38 (0.02) 0.70 0.68
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.90 (0.04) (0.48) (c) (0.52)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.28 (0.02) 1.64 1.62
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.96 (0.05) (0.78) (0.83)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $18.72 (0.04) 4.28 4.24
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.10 (0.07) 0.69 0.62
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.66 (0.08) (0.48) (c) (0.56)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $17.11 (0.03) 1.58 1.55
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
304 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — CTIVP® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.64 (3.37%) 0.84% 0.84% 0.05% 72% $491,881
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $23.43 22.93% 0.87% 0.87% 0.04% 121% $515,408
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $19.06 3.70% 0.90% 0.88% (0.11%) 36% $411,066
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.38 (2.75%) 0.89% 0.88% (0.20%) 34% $217,012
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.90 9.37% 0.88% 0.86% (0.13%) 42% $681,556
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $22.13 (3.61%) 1.09% 1.09% (0.20%) 72% $18,181
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $22.96 22.65% 1.12% 1.12% (0.21%) 121% $19,303
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.72 3.43% 1.15% 1.13% (0.38%) 36% $13,635
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.10 (3.00%) 1.15% 1.13% (0.42%) 34% $12,750
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.66 9.06% 1.13% 1.12% (0.19%) 42% $7,891
  
Prospectus 2019 305

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 307

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.86 0.05 (1.00) (0.95) (0.13) (0.33) (0.46)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $4.91 0.05 1.47 1.52 (0.05) (0.52) (0.57)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $11.06 0.07 0.15 0.22 (0.15) (6.22) (6.37)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.41 0.14 (0.25) (c) (0.11) (0.20) (1.04) (1.24)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.10 0.15 (0.60) (0.45) (0.32) (0.92) (1.24)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.83 0.04 (0.99) (0.95) (0.11) (0.33) (0.44)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $4.90 0.03 1.47 1.50 (0.05) (0.52) (0.57)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $11.05 0.05 0.15 0.20 (0.13) (6.22) (6.35)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.40 0.09 (0.23) (c) (0.14) (0.17) (1.04) (1.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.09 0.12 (0.59) (0.47) (0.30) (0.92) (1.22)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
308 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $4.45 (17.42%) 1.22% 1.11% 1.00% 56% $68,137
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.86 32.36% 1.29% 1.15% 0.84% 65% $82,442
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $4.91 (0.57%) 1.24% 1.11% 0.81% 92% $62,245
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.06 (1.39%) 1.14% 1.11% 1.15% 59% $259,889
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.41 (3.86%) 1.09% 1.00% 1.11% 32% $678,682
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $4.44 (17.46%) 1.47% 1.36% 0.75% 56% $37,280
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $5.83 31.93% 1.54% 1.40% 0.59% 65% $39,010
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $4.90 (0.78%) 1.54% 1.36% 0.72% 92% $24,465
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $11.05 (1.64%) 1.42% 1.36% 0.76% 59% $22,960
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.40 (4.05%) 1.34% 1.25% 0.86% 32% $19,279
  
Prospectus 2019 309

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Core Bond Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 311

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.94 0.29 (0.31) (0.02) (0.27) (0.13) (0.40)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.82 0.26 0.12 0.38 (0.25) (0.01) (0.26)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.80 0.25 0.02 0.27 (0.23) (0.02) (0.25)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.94 0.24 (0.14) 0.10 (0.21) (0.03) (0.24)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.61 0.24 0.32 0.56 (0.22) (0.01) (0.23)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.89 0.26 (0.30) (0.04) (0.25) (0.13) (0.38)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.77 0.23 0.13 0.36 (0.23) (0.01) (0.24)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.75 0.22 0.03 0.25 (0.21) (0.02) (0.23)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.90 0.21 (0.15) 0.06 (0.18) (0.03) (0.21)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.57 0.21 0.33 0.54 (0.20) (0.01) (0.21)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
312 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.52 (0.09%) 0.49% 0.49% 2.75% 309% $3,535,290
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.94 3.58% 0.52% 0.52% 2.39% 240% $3,284,310
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.82 2.48% 0.56% 0.56% 2.27% 17% $3,343,966
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.80 0.88% 0.57% 0.56% 2.18% 20% $3,363,421
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.94 5.35% 0.57% 0.56% 2.23% 11% $2,940,311
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.47 (0.35%) 0.74% 0.74% 2.50% 309% $9,303
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.89 3.34% 0.77% 0.77% 2.15% 240% $10,669
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $10.77 2.23% 0.82% 0.81% 2.03% 17% $10,146
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $10.75 0.54% 0.82% 0.81% 1.94% 20% $6,999
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $10.90 5.11% 0.82% 0.81% 1.98% 11% $5,070
  
Prospectus 2019 313

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 315

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.95 (0.11) (0.91) (1.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $18.48 (0.08) 3.55 3.47
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.33 (0.04) 1.19 1.15
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.25 (0.04) (0.88) (0.92)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.30 (0.08) 0.03 (0.05)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.53 (0.17) (0.88) (1.05)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $18.17 (0.13) 3.49 3.36
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $17.08 (0.08) 1.17 1.09
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $18.04 (0.08) (0.88) (0.96)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.13 (0.12) 0.03 (0.09)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
316 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.93 (4.65%) 0.87% 0.86% (0.46%) 113% $579,389
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.95 18.78% 0.91% 0.91% (0.42%) 114% $644,746
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.48 6.64% 0.98% 0.94% (0.25%) 90% $611,339
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.33 (5.04%) 1.02% 0.96% (0.20%) 63% $609,772
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.25 (0.27%) 1.02% 0.96% (0.46%) 43% $536,791
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $20.48 (4.88%) 1.12% 1.11% (0.70%) 113% $8,375
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.53 18.49% 1.16% 1.16% (0.67%) 114% $7,101
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $18.17 6.38% 1.23% 1.19% (0.50%) 90% $5,031
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $17.08 (5.32%) 1.27% 1.21% (0.46%) 63% $4,734
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $18.04 (0.50%) 1.27% 1.21% (0.70%) 43% $3,355
  
Prospectus 2019 317

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Fund is generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies and participants in Qualified Plans. Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about each Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which each Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
S-6546-99 AR (05/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio
Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio
Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio
Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio

  
Each above named Fund offers Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4 shares to separate accounts consisting of subaccounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated life insurance companies authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Funds.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Table of Contents
SUMMARIES OF THE FUNDS
Investment Objective, Fees and Expenses of the Fund, Principal Investment Strategies, Principal Risks, Performance Information, Fund Management, Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Tax Information, Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
 

3

13

23

33

43

53

53

53

55

63

68

70

71

72

72

73

74

75

80

80

80

83

A-1

B-1
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (Conservative Portfolio or the Fund) seeks to provide a high level of total return that is consistent with a conservative level of risk.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 4
Management fees 0.05% 0.05% 0.05%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07% 0.07%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.57% 0.57% 0.57%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.69% 0.94% 0.94%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 and Class 4 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $70 $221 $384 $ 859
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $96 $300 $520 $1,155
Class 4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $96 $300 $520 $1,155
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 18% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is a “fund of funds” that, under normal circumstances, seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a combination of underlying funds representing three primary asset classes: equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalents, as well as underlying funds that pursue alternative investment strategies (alternative strategies) that seek investment returns uncorrelated to the broad equity and fixed income markets, or other strategies. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual underlying fund(s). The Fund may also seek to achieve its desired asset class and investment strategy exposures by investing in additional underlying funds such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity and debt futures, index futures and interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and total return swaps). The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. The Fund may invest in companies deemed to be “growth” companies and “value” companies. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any credit quality, those instruments rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to have investment exposure to equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalent asset classes and alternative strategies (each an asset class exposure category) within the following target asset allocation ranges (includes investments in underlying funds, ETFs, and other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives):
    
Asset Class Exposures
(Target Allocation Range – Under Normal Circumstances)*
  Equity Fixed
Income
Cash/Cash
Equivalents
Alternative
Strategies
Conservative Portfolio 10–25%* 60-80%* 0-10%* 0–10%*
         
* As a percent of Fund net assets. Ranges include the net notional amounts of a Fund’s direct investments in derivative instruments. Market appreciation or depreciation may cause a Fund to be temporarily outside the ranges identified in the table. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) may modify the target allocation ranges only with the approval of a Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board).
In managing the Fund, the Investment Manager considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant, on a broad range of aspects related to the management of the Fund including, but not limited to, the performance of the underlying funds, the types of investment categories represented by the underlying funds, and the consideration of additional underlying funds. The Investment Manager retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Market Risk , as well as specific risks related to the underlying funds in which it invests that in the aggregate are principal risks to the Fund, including, among others, those described below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes and/or investments will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s),
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund’s performance given its investment strategy, as well as three additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 3.68%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -3.13%
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 05/07/2010 -2.95% 2.33% 3.60%
Class 4 05/07/2010 -2.88% 2.35% 3.60%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 80% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% Russell 3000 Index and 6% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -1.43% 3.26% 4.48%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
Russell 3000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -5.24% 7.91% 11.99%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -13.79% 0.53% 5.36%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2015
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You invest by buying an annuity contract or life insurance policy with RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, the Companies) and allocating your purchase payments to the Account that invests in the Fund.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus, as applicable, for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio (continued)
participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (Moderately Conservative Portfolio or the Fund) seeks to provide a high level of total return that is consistent with a moderately conservative level of risk.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 4
Management fees 0.05% 0.05% 0.05%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.06% 0.06% 0.06%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.60% 0.60% 0.60%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.71% 0.96% 0.96%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 and Class 4 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $73 $227 $395 $ 883
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $98 $306 $531 $1,178
Class 4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $98 $306 $531 $1,178
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 10% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is a “fund of funds” that, under normal circumstances, seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a combination of underlying funds representing three primary asset classes: equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalents, as well as underlying funds that pursue alternative investment strategies (alternative strategies) that seek investment returns uncorrelated to the broad equity and fixed income markets, or other strategies. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual underlying fund(s). The Fund may also seek to achieve its desired asset class and investment strategy exposures by investing in additional underlying funds such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity and debt futures, index futures and interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and total return swaps). The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. The Fund may invest in companies deemed to be “growth” companies and “value” companies. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any credit quality, those instruments rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to have investment exposure to equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalent asset classes and alternative strategies (each an asset class exposure category) within the following target asset allocation ranges (includes investments in underlying funds, ETFs, and other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives):
    
Asset Class Exposures
(Target Allocation Range – Under Normal Circumstances)*
  Equity Fixed
Income
Cash/Cash
Equivalents
Alternative
Strategies
Moderately Conservative Portfolio 25-40%* 50-65%* 0-10%* 0–10%*
         
* As a percent of Fund net assets. Ranges include the net notional amounts of a Fund’s direct investments in derivative instruments. Market appreciation or depreciation may cause a Fund to be temporarily outside the ranges identified in the table. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) may modify the target allocation ranges only with the approval of a Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board).
In managing the Fund, the Investment Manager considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant, on a broad range of aspects related to the management of the Fund including, but not limited to, the performance of the underlying funds, the types of investment categories represented by the underlying funds, and the consideration of additional underlying funds. The Investment Manager retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Market Risk , as well as specific risks related to the underlying funds in which it invests that in the aggregate are principal risks to the Fund, including, among others, those described below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes and/or investments will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s),
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund’s performance given its investment strategy, as well as three additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 5.29%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -5.82%
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 05/07/2010 -4.12% 2.77% 4.52%
Class 4 05/07/2010 -4.05% 2.76% 4.55%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 65% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 24% Russell 3000 Index and 11% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -2.60% 3.74% 5.56%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
Russell 3000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -5.24% 7.91% 11.99%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -13.79% 0.53% 5.36%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2015
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You invest by buying an annuity contract or life insurance policy with RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, the Companies) and allocating your purchase payments to the Account that invests in the Fund.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus, as applicable, for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio (continued)
participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (Moderate Portfolio or the Fund) seeks to provide a high level of total return that is consistent with a moderate level of risk.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 4
Management fees 0.04% 0.04% 0.04%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.06% 0.06% 0.06%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.65% 0.65% 0.65%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.75% 1.00% 1.00%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 and Class 4 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 77 $240 $417 $ 930
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $102 $318 $552 $1,225
Class 4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $102 $318 $552 $1,225
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 10% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is a “fund of funds” that, under normal circumstances, seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a combination of underlying funds representing three primary asset classes: equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalents, as well as underlying funds that pursue alternative investment strategies (alternative strategies) that seek investment returns uncorrelated to the broad equity and fixed income markets, or other strategies. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual underlying fund(s). The Fund may also seek to achieve its desired asset class and investment strategy exposures by investing in additional underlying funds such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity and debt futures, index futures and interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and total return swaps). The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. The Fund may invest in companies deemed to be “growth” companies and “value” companies. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any credit quality, those instruments rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to have investment exposure to equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalent asset classes and alternative strategies (each an asset class exposure category) within the following target asset allocation ranges (includes investments in underlying funds, ETFs, and other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives):
    
Asset Class Exposures
(Target Allocation Range – Under Normal Circumstances)*
  Equity Fixed
Income
Cash/Cash
Equivalents
Alternative
Strategies
Moderate Portfolio 40-55%* 40-55%* 0-5%* 0–10%*
         
* As a percent of Fund net assets. Ranges include the net notional amounts of a Fund’s direct investments in derivative instruments. Market appreciation or depreciation may cause a Fund to be temporarily outside the ranges identified in the table. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) may modify the target allocation ranges only with the approval of a Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board).
In managing the Fund, the Investment Manager considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant, on a broad range of aspects related to the management of the Fund including, but not limited to, the performance of the underlying funds, the types of investment categories represented by the underlying funds, and the consideration of additional underlying funds. The Investment Manager retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Market Risk , as well as specific risks related to the underlying funds in which it invests that in the aggregate are principal risks to the Fund, including, among others, those described below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes and/or investments will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s),
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund’s performance given its investment strategy, as well as three additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 7.16%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -8.81%
30 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 05/07/2010 -5.57% 3.17% 5.54%
Class 4 05/07/2010 -5.56% 3.16% 5.56%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 35% Russell 3000 Index and 15% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -3.71% 4.27% 6.67%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
Russell 3000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -5.24% 7.91% 11.99%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -13.79% 0.53% 5.36%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2015
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You invest by buying an annuity contract or life insurance policy with RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, the Companies) and allocating your purchase payments to the Account that invests in the Fund.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus, as applicable, for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio (continued)
participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
32 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (Moderately Aggressive Portfolio or the Fund) seeks to provide a high level of total return that is consistent with a moderately aggressive level of risk.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 4
Management fees 0.04% 0.04% 0.04%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07% 0.07%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.68% 0.68% 0.68%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.79% 1.04% 1.04%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 and Class 4 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 81 $252 $439 $ 978
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $106 $331 $574 $1,271
Class 4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $106 $331 $574 $1,271
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 10% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 33

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is a “fund of funds” that, under normal circumstances, seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a combination of underlying funds representing three primary asset classes: equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalents, as well as underlying funds that pursue alternative investment strategies (alternative strategies) that seek investment returns uncorrelated to the broad equity and fixed income markets, or other strategies. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual underlying fund(s). The Fund may also seek to achieve its desired asset class and investment strategy exposures by investing in additional underlying funds such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity and debt futures, index futures and interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and total return swaps). The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. The Fund may invest in companies deemed to be “growth” companies and “value” companies. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any credit quality, those instruments rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to have investment exposure to equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalent asset classes and alternative strategies (each an asset class exposure category) within the following target asset allocation ranges (includes investments in underlying funds, ETFs, and other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives):
    
Asset Class Exposures
(Target Allocation Range – Under Normal Circumstances)*
  Equity Fixed
Income
Cash/Cash
Equivalents
Alternative
Strategies
Moderately Aggressive Portfolio 55-70%* 25-40%* 0-5%* 0–10%*
         
* As a percent of Fund net assets. Ranges include the net notional amounts of a Fund’s direct investments in derivative instruments. Market appreciation or depreciation may cause a Fund to be temporarily outside the ranges identified in the table. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) may modify the target allocation ranges only with the approval of a Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board).
In managing the Fund, the Investment Manager considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant, on a broad range of aspects related to the management of the Fund including, but not limited to, the performance of the underlying funds, the types of investment categories represented by the underlying funds, and the consideration of additional underlying funds. The Investment Manager retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Market Risk , as well as specific risks related to the underlying funds in which it invests that in the aggregate are principal risks to the Fund, including, among others, those described below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
34 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes and/or investments will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 35

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
36 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s),
Prospectus 2019 37

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of
38 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
Prospectus 2019 39

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund’s performance given its investment strategy, as well as three additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 9.07%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -11.78%
40 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 05/07/2010 -7.03% 3.48% 6.37%
Class 4 05/07/2010 -7.08% 3.47% 6.39%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 46% Russell 3000 Index, 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 19% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -4.85% 4.78% 7.75%
Russell 3000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -5.24% 7.91% 11.99%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -13.79% 0.53% 5.36%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2015
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You invest by buying an annuity contract or life insurance policy with RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, the Companies) and allocating your purchase payments to the Account that invests in the Fund.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus, as applicable, for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
Prospectus 2019 41

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
42 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (Aggressive Portfolio or the Fund) seeks to provide a high level of total return that is consistent with an aggressive level of risk.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2 Class 4
Management fees 0.05% 0.05% 0.05%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.06% 0.06% 0.06%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.71% 0.71% 0.71%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.82% 1.07% 1.07%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 and Class 4 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 84 $262 $455 $1,014
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $109 $340 $590 $1,306
Class 4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $109 $340 $590 $1,306
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 10% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 43

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is a “fund of funds” that, under normal circumstances, seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a combination of underlying funds representing three primary asset classes: equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalents, as well as underlying funds that pursue alternative investment strategies (alternative strategies) that seek investment returns uncorrelated to the broad equity and fixed income markets, or other strategies. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual underlying fund(s). The Fund may also seek to achieve its desired asset class and investment strategy exposures by investing in additional underlying funds such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity and debt futures, index futures and interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and total return swaps). The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. The Fund may invest in companies deemed to be “growth” companies and “value” companies. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any credit quality, those instruments rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to have investment exposure to equity, fixed income and cash/cash equivalent asset classes and alternative strategies (each an asset class exposure category) within the following target asset allocation ranges (includes investments in underlying funds, ETFs, and other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives):
    
Asset Class Exposures
(Target Allocation Range – Under Normal Circumstances)*
  Equity Fixed
Income
Cash/Cash
Equivalents
Alternative
Strategies
Aggressive Portfolio 70-85%* 10-25%* 0-5%* 0–10%*
         
* As a percent of Fund net assets. Ranges include the net notional amounts of a Fund’s direct investments in derivative instruments. Market appreciation or depreciation may cause a Fund to be temporarily outside the ranges identified in the table. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) may modify the target allocation ranges only with the approval of a Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board).
In managing the Fund, the Investment Manager considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant, on a broad range of aspects related to the management of the Fund including, but not limited to, the performance of the underlying funds, the types of investment categories represented by the underlying funds, and the consideration of additional underlying funds. The Investment Manager retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Market Risk , as well as specific risks related to the underlying funds in which it invests that in the aggregate are principal risks to the Fund, including, among others, those described below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
44 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes and/or investments will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 45

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
46 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s),
Prospectus 2019 47

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of
48 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
Prospectus 2019 49

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund’s performance given its investment strategy, as well as three additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2012 10.79%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2011 -14.50%
50 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 05/07/2010 -8.58% 3.81% 7.23%
Class 4 05/07/2010 -8.62% 3.81% 7.24%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 56% Russell 3000 Index, 24% MSCI EAFE Index (Net) and 20% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -6.12% 5.17% 8.73%
Russell 3000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -5.24% 7.91% 11.99%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -13.79% 0.53% 5.36%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.95%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2015
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You invest by buying an annuity contract or life insurance policy with RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, the Companies) and allocating your purchase payments to the Account that invests in the Fund.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus, as applicable, for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
Prospectus 2019 51

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio (continued)
participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
52 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds
Investment Objectives
The objective of each Fund is to provide a high level of total return that is consistent with an acceptable level of risk. The following paragraphs highlight the objectives and compare each Fund’s levels of risk and potential for return relative to one another.
Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio (Conservative Portfolio) is designed for investors seeking a high level of total return that is consistent with a conservative level of risk. The Fund may be most appropriate for investors with a shorter-term investment horizon. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Conservative Portfolio (Moderately Conservative Portfolio) is designed for investors seeking a high level of total return that is consistent with a moderately conservative level of risk. The Fund may be most appropriate for investors with a short-to-intermediate term investment horizon. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Variable Portfolio – Moderate Portfolio (Moderate Portfolio) is designed for investors seeking a high level of total return that is consistent with a moderate level of risk. The Fund may be most appropriate for investors with an intermediate term investment horizon. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio (Moderately Aggressive Portfolio) is designed for investors seeking a high level of total return that is consistent with a moderately aggressive level of risk. The Fund may be most appropriate for investors with an intermediate-to-long term investment horizon. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Variable Portfolio – Aggressive Portfolio (Aggressive Portfolio) is designed for investors seeking a high level of total return that is consistent with an aggressive level of risk. The Fund may be most appropriate for investors with a longer-term investment horizon. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Conservative Portfolio, Moderately Conservative Portfolio, Moderate Portfolio, Moderately Aggressive Portfolio and Aggressive Portfolio are singularly and collectively, where the context requires, referred to as either “the Fund,” “each Fund” or “the Funds.”
The funds in which the Funds invest are referred to as the “underlying funds” or “acquired funds.” Investments by the Funds referred to above are made through investments in underlying funds or derivative instruments.
Please remember that you may not buy (nor will you own) shares of a Fund directly. You invest by buying a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy (Contracts) and allocating your purchase payments or premiums to the variable subaccount or variable account that invests in the Fund.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Funds are intended for investors who have an objective of achieving a high level of total return consistent with a certain level of risk, but prefer to have investment decisions managed by professional money managers. Each Fund is a “fund of funds” that, under normal circumstances, seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a combination of underlying funds for which Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) or an affiliate acts as investment manager or principal underwriter. Columbia Management is the investment manager for each of the Funds. By investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Funds seek to minimize the risks associated with investing in a single fund. However, each Fund may invest significantly in any individual underlying fund(s).
Prospectus 2019 53

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
The Funds seek, under normal circumstances, to achieve their objectives by investing primarily in a combination of underlying funds representing three primary asset classes: equity, fixed income, and cash/cash equivalents, as well as underlying funds that pursue alternative investment strategies (alternative strategies) that seek investment returns uncorrelated to the broad equity and fixed income markets, or other strategies. The Funds may also seek to achieve their desired asset class and investment strategy exposures by investing in additional underlying funds such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity and debt futures, index futures and interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and total return swaps). The Funds may invest in companies of any market capitalization. The Funds may invest in companies deemed to be “growth” companies and “value” companies. The Funds may invest in debt instruments of any credit quality, those instruments rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Funds may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction. Under normal circumstances, the Funds intend to have investment exposure to equity, fixed income, and cash/cash equivalent asset classes and alternative strategies (each an asset class exposure category) within the following target asset allocation ranges (includes investments in underlying funds, ETFs, and other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives):
    
Asset Class Exposures
(Target Allocation Range – Under Normal Circumstances)*
  Equity Fixed
Income
Cash/Cash
Equivalents
Alternative
Strategies
Conservative Portfolio 10-25%* 60-80%* 0-10%* 0-10%*
Moderately Conservative Portfolio 25-40%* 50-65%* 0-10%* 0-10%*
Moderate Portfolio 40-55%* 40-55%* 0-5%* 0-10%*
Moderately Aggressive Portfolio 55-70%* 25-40%* 0-5%* 0-10%*
Aggressive Portfolio 70-85%* 10-25%* 0-5%* 0-10%*
         
* As a percentage of Fund net assets. Ranges include the net notional amounts of a Fund’s direct investments in derivative instruments. Market appreciation or depreciation may cause the Fund to be temporarily outside the range identified in the table. The Investment Manager may modify the target allocation ranges only upon approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board).
In managing the Funds, the Investment Manager considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant, on a broad range of aspects related to the management of the Funds including, but not limited to, the performance of the underlying funds, the types of investment categories represented by the underlying funds, and the consideration of additional underlying funds. The Investment Manager retains full discretion over the Funds’ investment activities.
The Investment Manager monitors underlying fund selections, allocations and investment performance, and will take actions it deems appropriate to position the Funds to achieve their investment objectives, including investing in any underlying fund and ETFs, adding new underlying funds, altering target allocations as necessary, and investing in other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives. The Investment Manager implements the Funds’ asset allocation process by directing net cash inflows (outflows) to purchase (redeem) shares of the underlying funds and ETFs, which are underweight (overweight) the then-current target allocation, purchasing or redeeming shares of the underlying funds and ETFs, to maintain or change the percentage of a Fund’s assets invested in the underlying funds, or by purchasing or selling other securities, instruments and assets, including derivatives, to seek targeted asset class exposures.
The Funds may invest in derivatives to produce incremental earnings, to hedge existing positions, to increase market exposure and investment flexibility, or to obtain or reduce particular exposures.
54 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Underlying Funds
Each Fund has exposure to risks of many areas of the market through its investments in the underlying funds and derivatives. Below are the underlying funds available to the Funds for investment within each asset class category. Certain underlying funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager for those purposes. A description of the underlying funds’ investment objectives and strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and statements of additional information for the underlying funds include more detailed information about these underlying funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
    
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio-Disciplined Core Fund , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund , CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund , CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund* , CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund , CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund** , CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio-Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio-Long Government/Credit Bond Fund , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio-Government Money Market Fund and Columbia Short Term Cash Fund .
Alternative Strategy Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Diversified Absolute Return Fund and CTIVP ® – AQR Managed Futures Strategy Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
**Effective May 20, 2019, CTIVP ® - William Blair International Leaders Fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Market Risk , as well as specific risks related to the underlying funds in which it invests that in the aggregate are principal risks to the Fund, including, among others, those described below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money .
Prospectus 2019 55

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes and/or investments will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying
56 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to
Prospectus 2019 57

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A bond (or debt instrument) future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a bond or other debt instrument, a basket of bonds or other debt instrument, or the bonds or other debt instruments in an index on a specified date at a predetermined price. The buyer (long position) of a bond future is obliged to buy the underlying reference at the agreed price on expiry of the future.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced
58 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
  index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
An interest rate swap is a derivative in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows, based on a specified notional amount from a fixed rate to a floating rate (or vice versa) or from one floating rate to another. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
Total return swaps are derivative swap transactions in which one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return of a defined underlying reference during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return of a different underlying reference.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are
Prospectus 2019 59

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated
60 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions,
Prospectus 2019 61

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives.
62 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debt-holders.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
References to “the Fund” throughout the remainder of the prospectus refer to each Fund singularly or collectively as the context requires.
Prospectus 2019 63

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds” (such as the Fund(s) offered in this prospectus), and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its
64 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Affiliated Products
Shares of the Fund are currently available solely to holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) issued by RiverSource Life Insurance Company and RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, RiverSource Life), including where the Contract holder has elected certain optional benefit riders that require investment in approved investment options, including the Fund (the Rider). RiverSource Life is an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial, which is the parent company of Columbia Management, the Fund’s investment manager. RiverSource Life has financial obligations to holders of the Riders arising from guarantee obligations under such Riders, which vary based upon the investment performance of the Fund. RiverSource Life expects to benefit financially by offering this Fund, compared to offering other types of funds, in Contracts with Riders. For example, RiverSource Life expects to reduce its costs to purchase hedge investments associated with Contract liabilities tied to this Fund. It also expects to benefit from the greater liquidity of hedge investments used to meet its obligations under the Riders. In addition, it expects to reduce its capital requirements, which represent assets RiverSource Life sets aside to back the guarantees offered in its Contracts. As described above, RiverSource Life has a financial interest in reducing its potential exposure with respect to Contract values invested under the Riders. This may present a potential conflict of interest with respect to the interests of the holders of the Riders (who are required to allocate their Contract value to approved investment options, including the Fund). In particular, RiverSource Life’s interest in reducing volatility within the Fund’s portfolio may present a potential conflict between it and Columbia Management as the latter seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective of “total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.” The Fund may also be owned by Contract holders who have not elected the Rider.
Columbia Management has a framework in place to ensure its management of the Fund is effected in the best interests of the Fund, without undue influence from RiverSource Life. Investing in the Fund does not guarantee that your Contract will increase in value nor will it protect in a decline in value if market prices fall. In addition, there is no guarantee that the Fund’s strategy will have its intended effect, or that it will work as effectively as is intended.
Prospectus 2019 65

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
66 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
In addition to the total annual Fund operating expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund’s shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of the underlying funds (or acquired funds) in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” shown are based on its allocations to the underlying funds as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Because acquired funds will have varied expense and fee levels and the Fund may own different proportions of acquired funds at different times, the amount of fees and expenses incurred by the Fund with respect to such investments will vary.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio
Class 1 0.22%
Prospectus 2019 67

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio
Class 2 0.47%
Class 4 0.47%
    
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Conservative Portfolio
Class 1 0.11%
Class 2 0.36%
Class 4 0.36%
    
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
Class 1 0.22%
Class 2 0.47%
Class 4 0.47%
    
Variable Portfolio – Aggressive Portfolio
Class 1 0.11%
Class 2 0.36%
Class 4 0.36%
    
Variable Portfolio – Moderate Portfolio
Class 1 0.24%
Class 2 0.49%
Class 4 0.49%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
68 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to 0.05% for each of Variable Portfolio - Conservative Portfolio, Variable Portfolio - Moderately Conservative Portfolio and Variable Portfolio - Aggressive Portfolio, and 0.04% for Variable Portfolio - Moderate Portfolio and Variable Portfolio - Moderately Aggressive Portfolio, respectively, of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Lead Portfolio Manager   2015
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Prospectus 2019 69

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Dr. Bahuguna joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2002. Dr. Bahuguna began her investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University and a Ph.D. in economics from Northeastern University.
Mr. Virginia joined the Investment Manager in 2010. Mr. Virginia began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.S. from Kansas State University.
Mr. Weiss joined the Investment Manager in August 2015 as Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Weiss was at Lincoln Financial Group where he was a Portfolio Manager and CIO of Lincoln Investment Advisors Corp. Mr. Weiss began his investment career in 1999 and earned a B.S. in management from Plymouth State College and an M.B.A. from Boston University Graduate School of Management.
Mr. Kutin joined the Investment Manager in 2015 as a senior portfolio manager for the Global Investment Solutions Group. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Kutin was a portfolio manager on the global asset allocation team at Putnam Investments. Mr. Kutin began his investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. in economics and a B.S. in mathematics with computer science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.S. in finance from Princeton University.
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
Under the Distribution Agreement and related distribution and shareholder servicing plans, the Distributor receives distribution and shareholder servicing fees on Class 2 and Class 4 shares. The Distributor uses these fees to support its distribution and servicing activity for Class 2 and Class 4 shares. Fees paid by the Fund for these services are set forth under Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees in the expense table under Fees and Expenses of the Fund for each Fund in the Summary of the Fund section of this prospectus. More information on how these fees are used is set forth under “Buying, Selling and Transferring Shares – Description of Share Classes” and in the SAI.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
70 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
Prospectus 2019 71

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions
References to the “Fund” throughout this section refer to each Fund, singularly or collectively, and Underlying Funds, as the context requires.
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares Class 4 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and in variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. Class 2 shares are offered to Accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by affiliated life insurance companies. Class 4 shares are offered to participants in the Portfolio Navigator Program, and to owners of other series of annuity contracts or life insurance policies issued by RiverSource Life Insurance Company or RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York, as described in the prospectus for that annuity contract or life insurance policy.
Investment Limits none none none
Conversion Features none none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25% 0.25%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 and Class 4 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25% and the distribution fee for Class 4 shares is 0.25%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
72 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide Shareholder Services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Prospectus 2019 73

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time. Any affiliated underlying funds calculate their NAV in the same manner as the Fund calculates its NAV.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value
74 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
Shareholder Information
Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners. When you sell your shares through your Contract, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and
Prospectus 2019 75

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies and may also be available to other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Additional Discussion of Potential Conflicts of Interest Relating to Funds Used Exclusively by Affiliated Insurance Companies
The Fund is sold exclusively as underlying investment options of the Contracts offered by RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, the Companies). The Investment Manager and its affiliates make or support payments out of their own resources to the Companies as a result of the Companies including the Fund as an investment option in the Contracts. These allocations may be significant. In addition, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of the Companies, may be separately incented to include the Fund in the Contracts, as employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are tied to the company’s success. These Contracts may also include unaffiliated mutual funds as investment options, and the Companies receive payments from the sponsors of these unaffiliated mutual funds as a result of including these funds in the products. The amount of payment from sponsors of unaffiliated funds or allocation from the Investment Manager and its affiliates varies, and may be significant. The amount of the payment or allocation the Companies receive from a Fund may create an incentive for the Companies and may influence their decision regarding which funds to include in a Contract. Employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers, may be separately incented to recommend or sell shares of the Fund, as employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are tied to the company’s success. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, may receive higher compensation and other benefits as investments in the Fund increase. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including Columbia Management, and the Distributor, and the products they offer, including the Fund. These arrangements are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing payments,” and are in addition to any Rule 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees or other amounts paid by the Fund for account maintenance, sub-accounting or recordkeeping services
76 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
provided directly by the Companies. See About Fund Shares and Transactions – Financial Intermediary Compensation for more information generally about financial intermediary compensation and the Contract prospectus for more information regarding these payments and allocations relating to your Contract.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract. Any charges that apply to your Contract, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies that may own shares directly, are described in your Contract prospectus.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
Prospectus 2019 77

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted
78 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders. The risks of excessive trading described above also apply to any Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
Prospectus 2019 79

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Distributions and Taxes
References to the “Fund” throughout this section refer to each Fund, singularly or collectively, and Underlying Funds, as the context requires.
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases.
Mutual funds treated as regulated investment companies for tax purposes are required to make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund.
In the case of the Fund, because the Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, it is not required to and does not expect to make regular distributions to its shareholders (other than in redemption of Fund shares), but may do so in the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or its delegates).
Taxes and Your Investment
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Fund were not to qualify for such treatment, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the Fund level, which would reduce the value of an investment in the Fund.
As a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership,” the Fund is generally not itself subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, each shareholder will be required to take into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of the Fund’s income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and other tax items, without regard to whether such shareholder has received or will receive corresponding distributions from the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes allocations or distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts, or if the Fund does not qualify for treatment as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership.”
80 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
Prospectus 2019 81

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights
Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
Prospectus 2019 83

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio, continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $13.90 0.22 (0.63) (0.41)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.94 0.22 0.74 0.96
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.51 0.17 0.26 0.43
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.53 0.17 (0.19) (0.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.02 0.12 0.39 0.51
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $13.89 0.22 (0.62) (0.40)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $12.94 0.21 0.74 0.95
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.51 0.17 0.26 0.43
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.53 0.17 (0.19) (0.02)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.01 0.12 0.40 0.52
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
84 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Conservative Portfolio, continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $13.49 (2.95%) 0.37% 0.37% 1.61% 18% $450,440
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $13.90 7.42% 0.33% 0.33% 1.60% 6% $541,013
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.94 3.44% 0.30% 0.30% 1.34% 14% $593,909
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.51 (0.16%) 0.28% 0.28% 1.35% 27% $557,777
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.53 4.24% 0.28% 0.28% 0.93% 20% $623,543
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $13.49 (2.88%) 0.37% 0.37% 1.60% 18% $570,600
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $13.89 7.34% 0.33% 0.33% 1.59% 6% $725,015
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $12.94 3.44% 0.30% 0.30% 1.35% 14% $873,507
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $12.51 (0.16%) 0.28% 0.28% 1.35% 27% $890,458
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.53 4.33% 0.28% 0.28% 0.94% 20% $1,057,953
  
Prospectus 2019 85

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (continued)
Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
Prospectus 2019 87

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio, continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.28 0.20 (0.83) (0.63)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $13.89 0.19 1.20 1.39
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.36 0.16 0.37 0.53
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.39 0.17 (0.20) (0.03)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.78 0.11 0.50 0.61
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.30 0.20 (0.82) (0.62)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $13.92 0.19 1.19 1.38
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.38 0.16 0.38 0.54
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.42 0.17 (0.21) (0.04)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $12.81 0.11 0.50 0.61
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
88 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Moderately Conservative Portfolio, continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $14.65 (4.12%) 0.36% 0.36% 1.31% 10% $1,311,637
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $15.28 10.01% 0.33% 0.33% 1.30% 4% $1,539,179
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.89 3.97% 0.30% 0.30% 1.18% 8% $1,567,642
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.36 (0.22%) 0.28% 0.28% 1.25% 22% $1,566,214
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.39 4.77% 0.28% 0.28% 0.87% 10% $1,730,584
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $14.68 (4.05%) 0.36% 0.36% 1.31% 10% $1,578,450
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $15.30 9.91% 0.33% 0.33% 1.30% 4% $2,000,352
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $13.92 4.04% 0.30% 0.30% 1.18% 8% $2,217,158
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $13.38 (0.30%) 0.28% 0.28% 1.25% 22% $2,428,436
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.42 4.76% 0.28% 0.28% 0.86% 10% $2,906,985
  
Prospectus 2019 89

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (continued)
Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
Prospectus 2019 91

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio, continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.87 0.18 (1.12) (0.94)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $14.90 0.16 1.81 1.97
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $14.24 0.14 0.52 0.66
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $14.32 0.16 (0.24) (0.08)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.63 0.11 0.58 0.69
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.89 0.18 (1.12) (0.94)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $14.92 0.16 1.81 1.97
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $14.26 0.14 0.52 0.66
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $14.34 0.16 (0.24) (0.08)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $13.65 0.11 0.58 0.69
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
92 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Moderate Portfolio, continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.93 (5.57%) 0.35% 0.35% 1.05% 10% $7,293,208
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.87 13.22% 0.32% 0.32% 1.03% 5% $8,266,265
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $14.90 4.64% 0.29% 0.29% 0.97% 6% $7,712,231
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $14.24 (0.56%) 0.28% 0.28% 1.13% 23% $7,690,136
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.32 5.06% 0.27% 0.27% 0.76% 8% $8,060,457
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $15.95 (5.56%) 0.35% 0.35% 1.05% 10% $9,032,721
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.89 13.20% 0.32% 0.32% 1.03% 5% $11,144,165
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $14.92 4.63% 0.29% 0.29% 0.97% 6% $11,452,377
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $14.26 (0.56%) 0.28% 0.28% 1.13% 23% $12,531,242
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.34 5.05% 0.27% 0.27% 0.76% 8% $14,089,178
  
Prospectus 2019 93

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (continued)
Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
Prospectus 2019 95

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio, continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $18.34 0.15 (1.44) (1.29)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $15.79 0.13 2.42 2.55
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.00 0.12 0.67 0.79
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.11 0.14 (0.25) (0.11)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.37 0.09 0.65 0.74
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $18.37 0.15 (1.45) (1.30)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $15.81 0.13 2.43 2.56
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.02 0.12 0.67 0.79
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.14 0.14 (0.26) (0.12)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $14.39 0.09 0.66 0.75
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
96 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Moderately Aggressive Portfolio, continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $17.05 (7.03%) 0.36% 0.36% 0.80% 10% $4,016,103
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $18.34 16.15% 0.33% 0.33% 0.79% 6% $4,764,394
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.79 5.27% 0.30% 0.30% 0.78% 9% $4,463,979
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.00 (0.73%) 0.28% 0.28% 0.89% 24% $4,668,252
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.11 5.15% 0.27% 0.27% 0.62% 7% $4,911,469
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $17.07 (7.08%) 0.36% 0.36% 0.80% 10% $3,625,919
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $18.37 16.19% 0.33% 0.33% 0.78% 6% $4,658,189
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.81 5.26% 0.30% 0.30% 0.78% 9% $4,841,529
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.02 (0.79%) 0.28% 0.28% 0.88% 24% $5,526,022
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.14 5.21% 0.27% 0.27% 0.61% 7% $6,352,004
  
Prospectus 2019 97

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (continued)
Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
Prospectus 2019 99

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio, continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.81 0.11 (1.81) (1.70)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.66 0.10 3.05 3.15
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.73 0.09 0.84 0.93
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.85 0.10 (0.22) (0.12)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.02 0.07 0.76 0.83
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.84 0.11 (1.82) (1.71)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $16.69 0.10 3.05 3.15
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $15.75 0.09 0.85 0.94
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.87 0.10 (0.22) (0.12)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.04 0.07 0.76 0.83
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
100 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Financial Highlights (Variable Portfolio-Aggressive Portfolio, continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $18.11 (8.58%) 0.36% 0.36% 0.53% 10% $1,301,923
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.81 18.91% 0.33% 0.33% 0.53% 9% $1,529,935
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.66 5.91% 0.30% 0.30% 0.54% 8% $1,371,164
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.73 (0.76%) 0.28% 0.28% 0.62% 26% $1,418,902
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.85 5.53% 0.28% 0.28% 0.43% 10% $1,439,472
Class 4
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $18.13 (8.62%) 0.36% 0.36% 0.53% 10% $1,079,305
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.84 18.87% 0.33% 0.33% 0.53% 9% $1,384,255
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $16.69 5.97% 0.30% 0.30% 0.54% 8% $1,414,635
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $15.75 (0.76%) 0.28% 0.28% 0.61% 26% $1,608,428
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $15.87 5.52% 0.28% 0.28% 0.43% 10% $1,823,465
  
Prospectus 2019 101

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A
Underlying Funds — Investment Objectives and Strategies
The following is a brief description of the investment objectives and principal investment strategies of certain of the Underlying Funds (which are referred to as Funds in the descriptions below) in which the Funds may invest as part of their principal investment strategies. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. The Investment Manager does not necessarily invest Fund assets in each of the Underlying Funds listed below. Additional information regarding the Underlying Funds is available in their prospectuses and SAIs. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the Underlying Funds. For copies of prospectuses of the Underlying Funds, which contains this and other information, call 800.345.6611. Read the prospectuses carefully before you invest.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to maintain substantial economic exposure to the performance of the commodities markets. The Fund invests, directly or indirectly, in a portfolio of commodity-linked investments, such as commodity-linked futures, structured notes and/or swaps, that are designed to provide exposure to the investment return of assets that trade in the commodities markets, without investing directly in physical commodities. A substantial portion of the Fund’s net assets will also be invested in a portfolio of fixed income securities rated investment-grade or, if unrated, deemed of comparable quality, which will consist primarily of: (i) U.S. Government securities, corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed securities and/or asset-backed securities; and/or (ii) shares of an affiliated money market fund. In addition to investing in these holdings for their income-producing potential, these holdings will be designated by the Fund, as necessary, to serve as collateral with respect to the Fund’s commodity-linked investments.
The Fund primarily expects to gain exposure to the commodities markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Subsidiary). The Subsidiary’s commodity-linked investments are expected to produce leveraged exposure to the performance of the commodities markets. It is expected that the gross notional value of the Fund’s (including the Subsidiary’s) commodity-linked investments will be equivalent to at least 90% of the Fund’s net assets. Like the Fund, the Subsidiary will not invest directly in physical commodities. The Subsidiary also invests in investment-grade fixed income securities and shares of an affiliated money market fund for investment purposes or to serve as collateral for its commodity-linked investments. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary permits it to gain exposure to the commodities markets in a potentially tax-efficient manner. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund and, like the Fund, is managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) and subadvised by Threadneedle International Limited (Threadneedle).
The Fund may invest in derivatives, including futures contracts (including commodity-linked futures), options contracts (including options on futures contracts), structured investments (including commodity-linked structured notes) and swaps (including commodity-linked swaps) to increase, modify, or reduce commodity market exposures. Actual exposures will vary over time based on factors such as market movements and assessments of market conditions by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may engage in derivative transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges or in the _over-the-counter_ (OTC) market. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the energy and materials sectors.
In constructing the Fund’s fixed-income portfolio, Threadneedle seeks to identify a portfolio of investment-grade fixed income securities, generally with a dollar-weighted average portfolio duration of 1 year or less.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities. Additionally, the Fund’s strategy of investing in derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, will also contribute to frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover (typically greater than 300% per year).
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund (the Fund) seeks total return, consisting of long-term capital appreciation and current income.
A-1 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks. In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. companies that have large market capitalizations (generally over $2 billion) that the Fund’s investment manager believes are undervalued and have the potential for long-term growth and current income.
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the financial services sector.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Diversified Absolute Return Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Diversified Absolute Return Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with absolute (positive) returns.
The Fund pursues absolute (positive) returns through a diversified portfolio reflecting multiple asset classes and various investment and hedging strategies employed across equity, fixed income and other markets, such as commodities markets, while seeking to capitalize on market inefficiencies.
Although the specific strategies the Fund pursues and the manner in which the Fund pursues such strategies may change from time to time, the Fund is currently expected to combine tactical beta, alternative beta and alpha strategies in seeking the Fund’s investment objective. (In general, beta is a measure of price volatility resulting from general market movements and alpha is a measure of return resulting from active management.) The Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) may use fundamental and quantitative methods to identify and capitalize on short-term mispricings within and across traditional asset classes and markets, such as stocks and bonds. This strategy may be referred to as a tactical beta strategy in that it seeks opportunities to earn returns from price movements of broad markets. For instance, if the Investment Manager believes the U.S. equity market is undervalued, the Investment Manager may seek to capitalize on this mispricing by investing in futures on a U.S. equities index. The Investment Manager may also use fundamental and quantitative methods to identify and capitalize on systemic and structural market inefficiencies. This strategy may be referred to as an alternative beta strategy in that it seeks to generate returns with relatively low correlation to overall market movements by employing a systematic, rules-based approach. For instance, the Fund may take a long position in a broad basket of equities that the Investment Manager believes are attractively valued and take a short position in a broad basket of equities that the Investment Manager believes are unattractively valued, in order to generate returns from the relative price difference generally expected in the equity markets over time between undervalued and overvalued equities (i.e., the “value premium”). The Investment Manager will also allocate assets to long, short and other strategies intended to generate returns that are not dependent on overall market direction. These strategies may be referred to as alpha strategies in that they are intended to have relatively low correlation to market movements and are derived from active management.
The Fund’s investments and strategies are expected to employ both long and short positions in foreign and domestic equities (including common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities), fixed-income, floating rate and other debt securities (including U.S. government obligations, sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt obligations, asset-backed securities, exchange traded notes, and mortgage-backed securities), other commodity-related investments, and other investment companies (including mutual funds, closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)). The Fund may gain investment exposure to these securities and instruments directly or indirectly through investment in one or more Subsidiaries (as defined below) or affiliated and third party investment companies.
The Fund may invest without limit in foreign investments (including currencies), which may include investments in emerging markets, and in investments that are rated below investment-grade or, if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures (including equity, fixed income and volatility index futures), interest rate futures and other bond futures), options (including options on stocks, indexes, and futures), swaps contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, interest rate swaps, and total return swaps),
Prospectus 2019 A-2

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
and options on swaps (commonly known as swaptions), in an effort to produce incremental earnings and/or to hedge existing positions. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund uses forward foreign currency contracts in seeking to enhance returns based on fluctuations in the values of various foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar (the Currency Overlay Strategy). The Fund gains economic exposure to foreign currencies through its investment in forward foreign currency contracts comparable to the exposure that it would have had if it had bought or sold the foreign currencies directly.
The Fund may invest directly in derivatives, or indirectly in derivatives by investing up to 25% of its total assets in one or more offshore, wholly-owned subsidiaries (each, a Subsidiary, and, collectively, the Subsidiaries). Generally, Subsidiaries will invest in commodity futures, financial futures, option and swap contracts, fixed income securities, pooled investment vehicles, including those that are not registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and other investments intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiaries’ derivative positions.
The Fund expects to hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments (which may include investments in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or similar vehicles) or other high-quality, short-term investments to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in forward foreign currency contracts, currency futures contracts, commodity-linked investments or other derivatives.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations greater than $5 billion at the time of purchase or that are within the market capitalization range of companies in the S&P 500 Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stocks. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity futures and index futures) for cash equitization purposes.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers employ a process that applies fundamental investment concepts in a systematic framework seeking to identify and exploit mispriced stocks. The Fund benefits from collaboration between quantitative and fundamental research to create sector and industry-specific multi-factor stock selection models, which are utilized by the portfolio managers when constructing a diversified portfolio.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income and, as a secondary objective, steady growth of capital.
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in equity securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks. The selection of dividend-paying stocks is the primary decision in building the investment portfolio. The Fund invests principally in securities of companies believed to be attractively valued and to have the potential for long-term growth. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
A-3 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as structured investments (including equity-linked notes), for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes and to increase investment flexibility.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through current income and, secondarily, through capital appreciation.
The Fund invests primarily in fixed income securities of emerging markets issuers. For these purposes, emerging market countries are generally those either defined by World Bank-defined per capita income brackets or determined to be an emerging market based on the Fund investment team’s qualitative judgments about a country’s level of economic and institutional development, among other factors. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in fixed income securities of issuers that are located in emerging markets countries, or that earn 50% or more of their total revenues from goods or services produced in emerging markets countries or from sales made in emerging markets countries. Fixed income securities may be denominated in either U.S. dollars or the local currency of the issuer. While the Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of foreign governmental and corporate entities located in the same country, it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single issuer. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas. The Fund can invest in emerging market sovereign debt instruments of any credit quality, including those rated investment grade and below investment grade or considered to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). Although the emerging markets sovereign debt universe largely consists of investment grade instruments, a significant portion of that universe is rated in these lower rating categories. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in debt securities that are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) for hedging and investment purposes.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities (including, but not limited to, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks) of companies located in emerging market countries. The Fund may also gain exposure to such companies through investment in depositary receipts. Emerging market countries include those countries whose economies are considered to be developing or emerging from underdevelopment.
The Fund may invest in a variety of countries, industries and sectors and does not attempt to invest a specific percentage of its assets in any given country, industry or sector. However, the Fund has invested substantially in the financial services sector and information technology and technology-related sectors and may continue to invest substantially in these or other sectors in the future. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
Prospectus 2019 A-4

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest in special situations, such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies.
The Fund may invest in securities that the investment manager believes are undervalued, represent growth opportunities, or both.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through income and growth of capital.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in debt obligations of issuers located in at least three different countries (which may include the U.S.). Debt obligations include debt securities and instruments, including money market instruments, either issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by (i) the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, (ii) non-U.S. governments, their agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, or (iii) corporate or other non-governmental entities. The Fund may invest in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest significantly in below investment-grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”) in seeking to achieve higher dividends and/or capital appreciation.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas and may invest in issuers in emerging markets. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
In addition, in pursuing its objective, the Fund, employing both fundamental and quantitative analyses, may enter into various currency-, interest rate- and credit-related transactions involving derivatives instruments. The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures contracts (including currency, index, interest rate, and other bond futures), and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, inflation rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and total return swaps). The use of these derivative instruments allows the Fund to obtain net long or net negative (short) exposure to selected currencies, interest rates, credit risks and duration risks. The Fund may use these derivatives as well as “to be announced” (TBA) mortgage-backed securities in an effort to leverage exposures and produce incremental earnings, for hedging purposes, to obtain increased or decreased exposures to various markets/sectors or to increase investment flexibility. Actual long and short exposures will vary over time based on factors such as market movements, assessments of market conditions, macroeconomic analysis and qualitative valuation analysis.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal.
A-5 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in government securities, cash and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash. For purposes of this policy, “government securities” are any securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the United States, or by a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the Government of the United States pursuant to authority granted by the Congress of the United States, or any certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing.
The Fund typically invests in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and other obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements secured by such obligations. The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate instruments, and may transact in securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (including U.S. Treasury floating rate notes). The Fund invests in a portfolio of securities maturing in 397 days or less (as maturity is calculated by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules governing the operation of money market funds) that will have a dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less and a dollar-weighted average life of 120 days or less.
The securities purchased by the Fund are subject to the quality, diversification, and other requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and other rules of the SEC. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in government securities and/or repurchase securities that are collateralized by government securities. The Fund will only purchase government securities, cash, repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash, and up to 0.5% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in other securities that present minimal credit risk as determined by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the Investment Manager), pursuant to guidelines approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the Fund will not be subject to liquidity fees and redemption gates at this time.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in high-yield debt instruments (commonly referred to as “junk” bonds or securities). These high yield debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as floating rate loans rated below investment grade by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Income Opportunities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high total return through current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund’s assets are invested primarily in income-producing debt securities, with an emphasis on the higher rated segment of the high-yield (junk bond) market. These income-producing debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as bank loans. The Fund will purchase only debt instruments rated B or above, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality. If a debt instrument falls below a B rating after investment by the Fund, the Fund may continue to hold the instrument.
Prospectus 2019 A-6

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while attempting to conserve the value of the investment for the longest period of time.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. government, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures) and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, and interest rate swaps) for hedging and investment purposes, and to manage credit and interest rate exposure of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
While the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, under normal circumstances, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity will be between three and ten years.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the Index). These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies that the investment manager believes have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the consumer discretionary sector.
A-7 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Limited Duration Credit Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in corporate bonds. The Fund primarily invests in debt securities with short- and intermediate-term maturities generally similar to those included in the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index (the Index). The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund’s duration is managed to help reduce volatility associated with changes in interest rates. Under normal conditions, the Fund will target duration to be similar to or lower than that of the Index, but will not exceed that of the Index by more than one year. As of March 31, 2019, the duration of the Index was 2.71 years.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures), to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund may also use these instruments for other purposes.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks total return, consisting of current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. The Fund’s investments may include debt instruments of governments throughout the world (including the U.S., other developed markets, and emerging markets) as well as their agencies and instrumentalities, government-sponsored enterprises, states or other political subdivisions within the U.S. or its territories, sovereign and quasi-sovereign issuers, and non-governmental issuers (i.e., corporations or similar entities) throughout the world. The Fund may also invest in mortgage- and other asset backed securities. Although the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk” bonds), the Fund will primarily invest in investment grade securities. Investment grade is defined as rated Baa3/BBB or higher by at least two of the following rating agencies: Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. If only two of the three rating agencies rate the security, the lower rating is issued to determine its eligibility. If only one of the three rating agencies rates a security, the rating must be investment-grade.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign debt securities and instruments, including those of foreign governments, non-governmental issuers or other entities, and up to 20% of its net assets in preferred stock.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average effective maturity will be ten years or longer. The Fund may invest opportunistically in bonds with maturities lower than 10 years.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures) to manage the portfolio duration and yield curve positioning of the Fund.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Prospectus 2019 A-8

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with growth of capital.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) at the time of purchase in the common stocks of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, midcap companies are considered to be companies whose market capitalization falls within the market capitalization range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap® Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254 million and $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a stock even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies believed to have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth but may invest in companies for their short, medium or long-term prospects. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more economic sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in special situations such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities in foreign companies. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities, such as common and preferred stock, or indirectly through mutual funds and closed-end funds, as well as depositary receipts. The Fund may invest in securities of or relating to issuers believed to be undervalued (i.e., “value” stocks), represent growth opportunities (i.e., “growth” stocks), or both. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies.
The Fund may invest in companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers, other corporate restructurings and other special situations. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity futures and index futures) and options (including options on stocks and indices), for both hedging and non-hedging purposes including, for example, for investment purposes to seek to enhance returns or, in certain circumstances, when holding a derivative is deemed preferable to holding the underlying asset. In particular, the Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to hedge the currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund’s securities, to shift investment exposure from one currency to another, to shift U.S. dollar exposure to achieve a representative weighted mix of major currencies in its benchmark, or to adjust an underweight country exposure in its portfolio. The Fund may also invest in equity index futures to manage exposure to the securities market and to maintain equity market exposure while managing cash flows.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
A-9 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies that have market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, in the range of companies in the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $2.5 billion to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund normally invests in common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and rights and may invest in exchange-traded funds. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 45 and 65 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as options, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, including, for example, to seek to enhance returns or as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which large market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 40 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies are those whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase fall within the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index) (between $254.0 million and $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund normally invests in common stocks and also may invest in real estate investment trusts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund)
Prospectus 2019 A-10

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 2000® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $24.6 million and $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which smaller market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 40 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund (the Fund) seeks total return, consisting of current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund has substantial exposure to fixed-income/debt markets. The Fund has the flexibility to invest in any sector of the fixed-income/debt market and across the credit quality spectrum. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government bonds and notes (including those of its agencies and instrumentalities, and of government-sponsored enterprises), U.S. and international (including developed, developing and emerging markets) bonds and notes, investment grade corporate (or similar) bonds and notes, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, high yield (i.e., “junk”) instruments, floating rate loans and other floating rate debt securities, inflation-protected/linked securities, convertible securities, cash/cash equivalents, as well as foreign government, sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt investments. The Fund’s investments may include non-U.S. dollar denominated instruments. The Fund may also invest in preferred securities. The Fund does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity or duration target.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts for investment and hedging purposes), futures (including bond futures for managing yield curve and duration risk, and index and interest rate futures for hedging and investment purposes), options (including options on listed futures for hedging purposes), and swaps (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes and interest rate swaps for hedging purposes, and total return swaps for investment purposes). The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund may invest in interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) bonds (commonly known as stripped securities) for investment purposes.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
A-11 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund (i) invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment (Focus Stocks) and (ii) may also invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in Focus Stocks. The Fund may continue to hold, and to make additional investments in, Focus Stocks whose market capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion, regardless of whether the Fund’s investments in Focus Stocks are a majority of the Fund’s net assets.
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, including futures (including equity futures and index futures), for hedging, investment or cash equitization purposes.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager for the Fund and attempts to achieve the Fund’s objective by managing a portion of the Fund’s assets and selecting one or more subadvisers to manage other portions of the Fund’s assets independently of each other and Columbia Management.
Columbia Management combines fundamental and quantitative analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing its portion of the Fund’s portfolio. A portion of the Fund’s assets is subadvised by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM), a wholly-owned affiliate of the Investment Manager. The subadviser and Columbia Management each make investment decisions for their respective portions of the Fund’s assets independently of one another.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, preservation of capital.
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in mortgage-related securities. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in mortgage-related securities that either are issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities. This includes, but is not limited to, Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae) mortgage-backed bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government; and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac) mortgage-backed bonds. FNMA and FHLMC are chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress; however, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures) to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
Prospectus 2019 A-12

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal.
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in money market instruments, such as marketable debt obligations issued by corporations or the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, letters of credit, commercial paper, including asset-backed commercial paper, and repurchase agreements. The Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in money market instruments issued by U.S. banks, U.S. branches of foreign banks and U.S. Government securities in the event that such investments would be appropriate for the Fund in seeking to achieve its objective, including, for example, if the interest rate environment is such that these investments are expected to provide higher rates of return than other money market instruments. The Fund may invest less than 25% in such investments if the interest rate environment is such that other money market instruments are expected to provide a higher rate of return. Additionally, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign investments. The Fund may transact in securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (including U.S. Treasury floating rate notes). The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Although the Fund’s shares are priced with a floating NAV, capital appreciation is not expected to play a role in the Fund’s return. The Fund’s yield generally will vary from day to day.
The Fund restricts its investments to instruments that meet certain maturity and quality standards required by the SEC for money market funds. For example, the Fund:
Buys securities determined to present minimal credit risk by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager).
Limits its U.S. dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity to 60 days or less and its U.S. dollar-weighted average life to 120 days or less.
Buys obligations with remaining maturities of 397 days or less (as maturity is calculated by SEC rules governing the operation of money market funds).
Buys only obligations that are denominated in U.S. dollars.
The Fund is offered only to other Columbia Funds.
CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
CTIVP ® - American Century Diversified Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. Although the Fund emphasizes high- and medium-quality debt securities, it may assume increased credit risk by investing in below investment-grade fixed-income securities (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Ginnie Mae is supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Securities issued or guaranteed by other U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. However, they are authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations.
A-13 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers, including issuers in emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures) and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) in an effort to manage interest rate exposure, to produce incremental earnings, to hedge existing positions, and to increase market exposure and investment flexibility.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund
CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of foreign issuers, located or traded in countries other than the U.S., that are believed to offer strong growth potential. Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally invests its assets in companies whose market capitalizations fall within the range of the companies that comprise the MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $1.9 billion to $290.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including index futures), forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), as well as in foreign currencies and exchange-traded funds, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds and money market funds.
Quantitative models are used as part of the investment process for the Fund. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.
CTIVP ® – AQR Managed Futures Strategy Fund
CTIVP ® – AQR Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the Fund) seeks positive absolute returns.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating assets among four major asset classes (commodities, currencies, fixed income and equities). The Fund gains exposure to asset classes by investing in a portfolio of futures contracts, futures-related instruments, forwards and swaps, and may include, but will not be limited to, global developed and emerging market equity index futures, swaps on equity index futures, equity swaps, global currencies, currency forwards and currency futures; commodity futures; swaps on commodity futures; interest rate futures; bond futures; swaps on bond futures; and exchange-traded notes, all of which the Fund may invest in directly or indirectly by investing in the Subsidiary (as described below) that invests in those instruments. The Fund’s universe of investments is subject to change under varying market conditions and as these instruments evolve over time. The Fund may invest without limit in foreign instruments, including emerging market instruments. There are no geographic limits on the market exposure of the Fund’s assets and the Fund may concentrate its market exposure in one or more specific geographic regions. This flexibility allows the Fund to look for investments or gain exposure to asset classes and markets around the world, including emerging markets, that it believes will enhance the Fund’s ability to meet its objective. The Fund’s return is expected to be derived principally from changes in the value of securities.
Prospectus 2019 A-14

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest in securities and instruments, including derivatives, indirectly through an offshore, wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Subsidiary). The Subsidiary has substantially the same investment objective as the Fund and its investments are consistent with the Fund's investment restrictions.
Generally, the Subsidiary will invest in commodity futures and/or swaps, but may also invest in financial futures, option and swap contracts, fixed-income securities, pooled investment vehicles, including those that are not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and other investments intended to serve as margin or collateral for certain of the Subsidiary’s positions, including its derivatives positions. Unlike the Fund (which is subject to limitations under U.S. federal income tax laws), the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-linked derivatives; however, the Fund and its Subsidiary will comply on a consolidated basis with asset coverage or segregation requirements. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary.
The Fund and its Subsidiary expect to hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments (which may include investments in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or similar vehicles), fixed-income securities and U.S. Government obligations (including U.S. Treasury bills) or other high-quality, short-term investments, mortgage-backed securities or other liquid assets to meet its segregation obligations in connection with certain investments, including, among others, derivative instruments.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities. Additionally, the Fund’s strategy of investing in derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, will also contribute to frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover (typically greater than 300% per year). This may cause the Fund to incur higher transaction costs (which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance).
Quantitative models are used as part of the investment process for the Fund.
CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return that exceeds the rate of inflation over the long term.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in inflation-protected debt securities. These securities include inflation-indexed bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Government and non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, and U.S. and non-U.S. corporations. The Fund invests only in securities rated investment grade at the time of purchase by a third-party rating agency or, if unrated, deemed by the management team to be of comparable quality. Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in sectors outside the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked Bond Index USD Hedged (the Index). The Fund seeks to maintain an average duration that is within a range of plus or minus 20% of the duration of the Index.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including Europe.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate, other bond, and index futures), options (including options on futures and indices) and swaps (including interest rate swaps and inflation rate swaps). The Fund may enter into derivatives for investment purposes,
A-15 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
for risk management (hedging) purposes, to increase flexibility, to produce incremental earnings, and to manage duration, yield curve and interest rate exposure. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
The management team may hedge any portion of the non-U.S. dollar denominated securities in the Fund to the U.S. dollar.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity and equity-related securities issued by companies in the real estate industry. A company is considered to be in the real estate industry if it (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from the ownership, construction, management, financing or sale of residential, commercial or industrial real estate or (ii) has at least 50% of the fair market value of its assets invested in residential, commercial or industrial real estate. Companies in the real estate industry include, among others, real estate operating companies (REOCs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund
CTIVP ® - DFA International Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large non-U.S. companies associated with developed markets that the Fund’s portfolio managers determine to be value stocks at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stock, preferred stock and depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in companies in three or more non-U.S. developed market countries. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe.
Investments for the Fund will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Fund’s portfolio pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Fund will receive dividend income.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) in connection with the settlement of equity trades or the exchange of one currency for another and futures contracts (including equity and index futures) to adjust market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Fund.
CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund
CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies located in countries outside the United States. Equity securities include, without limitation, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including Europe and Japan.
The Fund may invest in companies across all market capitalizations. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Prospectus 2019 A-16

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund’s investments include companies that are located in the countries represented in the MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (the Index), which includes developed countries outside of North America. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in companies that are located in countries not represented in the Index, such as emerging markets countries. The Fund will invest primarily in securities of companies listed on a non-U.S. securities exchange or quoted on an established foreign over-the-counter market, or in depository receipts such as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs).
The Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs), warrants and rights.
The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
In managing the Fund, the subadviser utilizes a quantitatively driven, bottom-up stock selection process.
CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
CTIV ® - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large-capitalization companies believed to have the potential for long-term growth. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging market securities, directly or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund will not concentrate its assets in any single industry but may from time to time invest more than 25% of its assets in companies conducting business in various industries within an economic sector. The Fund will typically invest in a limited number of companies.
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of U.S. large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs). The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund’s subadviser uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct the Fund’s portfolio.
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund (effective May 20, 2019 known as Variable Portfolio - Partners Core Equity Fund)
Effective May 1, 2019 to May 19, 2019:
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities. Equity securities include, for example, common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that are believed to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other companies (growth companies), in companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies), or in a combination of growth and value companies. Although the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily invests in companies with capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of the Fund’s investment.
A-17 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The subadviser uses fundamental analysis and quantitative models in buying and selling investments for the Fund.
Effective on and after May 20, 2019:
Variable Portfolio - Partners Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities. Equity securities include, for example, common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
Fundamental analysis and quantitative models are utilized in buying and selling investments for the Fund.
CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund’s assets are invested primarily in equity securities. The Fund invests primarily in the stocks of companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies). Value companies tend to have stock prices that are low relative to their earnings, dividends, assets, or other financial measures.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and depositary receipts for such securities. While the Fund may invest its assets in companies of any size, the Fund generally focuses on large-capitalization companies. Large-capitalization companies are defined by the Fund as those companies with market capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of purchase.
CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
CTIVP ® - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund has exposure to equity securities. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and limited partnership interests. While the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily focuses on large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging market investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary and information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund typically employs a focused portfolio investing style, which results in fewer holdings than a fund that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a greater number of issuers.
CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (effective May 20, 2019 known as CTIVP ® – William Blair International Leaders Fund)
Prospectus 2019 A-18

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Effective May 1, 2019 to May 19, 2019:
CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund’s assets are primarily invested in equity securities of foreign issuers as well as depositary receipts. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities convertible into common stock. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in companies located in at least three countries outside the U.S. From time to time it may place greater emphasis on investing in one or more particular regions such as Asia, Europe or Latin America. The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities that provide exposure to emerging markets. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will emphasize investments in issuers that the portfolio managers consider to be “growth” companies.
Effective on and after May 20, 2019:
CTIVP ® – William Blair International Leaders Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund’s assets are primarily invested in equity securities of foreign issuers as well as depositary receipts. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities convertible into common stock. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 40 and 70 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities that provide exposure to emerging markets. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies, that are considered by the management team to be leaders in their country, industry or globally in terms of products, services or execution. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary, financial services, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will emphasize investments in issuers that the portfolio managers consider to be “growth” companies.
CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
CTIVP ® - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return through current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities, including debt securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, debt securities issued by corporations, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, dollar-denominated securities issued by foreign governments, companies or other entities, bank loans and other obligations. Other obligations include any other security or instrument in which there is a requirement or obligation to repay money borrowed. For purposes of its 80% test, the Fund treats investment in loans as “debt securities,” even though loans may not be “securities” under certain of the federal securities laws. The Fund invests at least 60% of its net assets in debt securities that, at the time of purchase, are rated in at least one of the three highest rating categories or are unrated securities determined to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds). The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity or duration at the Fund level.
Up to 25% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments (including in emerging markets), which may include investments of up to 20% of the Fund’s assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. In connection with its strategy relating to foreign investments, the Fund may buy or sell foreign currencies in lieu of or in addition to non-dollar denominated fixed-income securities in order to increase or decrease its exposure to foreign interest rate and/or currency markets.
A-19 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) and futures contracts (including interest rate futures) for hedging purposes and to manage duration of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may also hold/invest in cash, money market instruments (which may include investments in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or similar vehicles) or other high-quality, short-term investments, including for the purpose of covering its obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital and income.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund’s subadviser seeks to identify companies that appear to be undervalued by various measures, and may be temporarily out of favor, but, in the opinion of the subadviser, have good prospects for capital appreciation. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, the Fund considers mid-cap companies to be those whose market capitalization falls within the range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $254.0 million to $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts. As a result of the bottom-up stock selection process, Victory Capital Management Inc. from time to time may find more compelling investment opportunities in certain economic sectors, such as the financial services sector.
CTIVP ® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
CTIVP ® - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income consistent with capital preservation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in U.S. Government obligations, including debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies or government-sponsored entities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets within non-government mortgage and asset-backed securities.
Prospectus 2019 A-20

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
In pursuit of its objective, the Fund will purchase only securities that are rated, at the time of purchase, within the two highest rating categories assigned by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization, or if deemed to be of comparable quality. As part of the Fund’s investment strategy, it may invest in stripped securities (securities that have been transformed from a principal amount with periodic interest coupons into a series of zero-coupon bonds, with the range of maturities matching the coupon payment dates and the redemption date of the principal amount) or enter into mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, the Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies, and to a lesser extent, other securities rated AA- or Aa3 that the Fund’s subadviser believes will sufficiently outperform U.S. Treasuries. Generally, the portfolio’s overall dollar-weighted average effective duration is less than that of a 3-year U.S. Treasury note.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures), to hedge interest rate exposure of the Fund.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. The Fund defines mid-capitalization companies as those companies with a market capitalization that falls within the range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund
Variable Portfolio - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in equity securities.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 75% of its total assets in foreign companies in developed markets (for example, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom) and in emerging markets (for example, China, India and Brazil). The Fund may invest in depository receipts.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and midsized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. However, if the Fund’s investments in such companies represent less than a majority of its net assets, the Fund may continue to hold and to make additional investments in an existing company in its portfolio even if that company’s capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion. Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion at the time of initial investment, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of its net assets would be invested in companies whose market capitalizations were under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the industrials sector.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund
Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while conserving the value of the investment for the longest period of time.
A-21 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. The Fund invests primarily in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements, as well as invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities of foreign issuers.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in the equity securities of small-capitalization companies. Small-capitalization companies are defined as those companies with a market capitalization, at the time of purchase, of up to $2.5 billion, or that fall within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $8.3 million to $8.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the health care sector, industrials sector, and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Each subadviser employs an active investment strategy. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Variable Portfolio - Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in small cap companies. For these purposes, small cap companies are those that have a market capitalization, at the time of investment, that falls within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Value Index (the Index) or up to $2.5 billion, whichever is greater. The Fund may buy and hold stock in a company that is not included in the Index. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $24.6 million to $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in any type of security, including common stocks and depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Each of the subadvisers employs an active investment strategy that focuses on small cap companies in an attempt to take advantage of what are believed to be undervalued securities. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 A-22

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B
Underlying Funds — Principal Risks
The ability of each Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to its allocation among the Underlying Funds and the ability of the Underlying Funds to meet their investment objectives, as well as the investment performance of the Funds’ other investments.  The following is a brief description of certain of the principal risks associated with investments in the Underlying Funds in which the Funds may invest as part of their principal investment strategies.  The Funds are subject indirectly to these risks through their investments in the Underlying Funds, and are also subject directly to certain of these risks to the extent they invest in individual securities and other instruments, as described in Principal Risks above. Additional information regarding the principal risks associated with investment in the Underlying Funds is available in the applicable Underlying Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.  This prospectus is not an offer for any of the Underlying Funds.
The references in each case to the “Fund” within each of the below risks descriptions in this Appendix B refers to the Underlying Fund(s) that the Funds may invest in.
Active Management Risk. Certain Funds are actively managed by their portfolio managers. Certain other Funds are managed based primarily on quantitative methods, with the portfolio managers conducting a qualitative review of the quantitative output. In either case, the Funds could underperform their benchmark indices and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes and/or investments will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of the Fund's asset-backed securities may be affected by, among other things, changes in interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the receivables, the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements, or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Most asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of asset-backed securities, resulting in valuations that are volatile and sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Closed-End Investment Company Risk. Closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their NAV, which may affect whether the Fund will realize gain or loss upon its sale of the closed-end investment company’s shares. Closed-end investment companies may employ leverage, which also subjects the closed-end investment company to increased risks such as increased volatility.
B-1 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Regulatory Risk. The Fund does not qualify for an exemption from registration as a “commodity pool” under rules of the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA). Accordingly, the Fund is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Investment Manager is registered as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA. The Fund is subject to dual regulation by the SEC and the CFTC. Compliance with the CFTC’s regulatory requirements could increase Fund expenses, adversely affecting the Fund's total return.
Commodity-related Investment Risk. The value of commodities investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include demand for the commodity, weather, embargoes, tariffs, and economic health, political, international, regulatory and other developments. Exposure to commodities and commodities markets may subject the value of the Fund’s investments to greater volatility than other types of investments. Commodities investments may also subject the Fund to counterparty risk and liquidity risk. The Fund may make commodity-related investments through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries organized outside the U.S. that are generally not subject to U.S. laws (including securities laws) and their protections.
Commodity-related Tax Risk. The Fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund’s investments in commodities or commodity-related investments can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify.
Confidential Information Access Risk. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of material, non-public information (Confidential Information) about the issuers of floating rate loans (including from the issuer itself) being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information may disadvantage the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or
Prospectus 2019 B-2

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets
B-3 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. Structured investments may create economic leverage which may increase the volatility of the value of the investment. Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions
Prospectus 2019 B-4

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Exchange-Traded Notes Risk. Exchange-traded notes (ETNs) are unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities that expose the Fund to the risk that an ETN’s issuer may be unable to pay, which means that the Fund is subject to issuer credit risk. ETNs do not typically offer principal protection, so the Fund may lose some or all of its investment. The returns of ETNs are usually linked to the performance of a market benchmark or strategy, less investor fees and expenses. The Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETN, which may cause the Fund’s returns to be lower. The return on ETNs will typically be lower than the total return on a direct investment in the components of the underlying index or strategy because of the ETN’s investor fees and expenses.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Foreign Currency-Related Tax Risk. The Internal Revenue Service might issue regulations treating gains from some of the Fund’s foreign currency-denominated positions as not “qualifying income” and there is a possibility that such regulations might be applied retroactively, in which case, the Fund might not qualify as a regulated investment company for one or more years. In the event the Internal Revenue Service issues such regulations, the Fund’s Board may authorize a significant change in investment strategy or the Fund’s liquidation.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
B-5 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than traditional emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to the risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. Increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist and similar measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Greater China. The Greater China region consists of Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China and Taiwan, among other countries, and the Fund's investments in the region are particularly susceptible to risks in that region. Adverse events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries in the region or Asia as a whole. As a result, adverse events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified, which could result in greater volatility in the Fund’s NAV and losses. Markets in the Greater China region can experience significant volatility due to social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties.
Japan. The Fund is highly susceptible to the social, political, economic, regulatory and other conditions or events that may affect Japan’s economy. The Japanese economy is heavily dependent upon international trade, including, among other things, the export of finished goods and the import of oil and other commodities and raw materials. Because of its trade dependence, the Japanese economy is particularly exposed to the risks of currency fluctuation, foreign trade policy and regional and global economic disruption. Japanese government policy has been characterized by economic regulation, intervention, protectionism and large government deficits. The Japanese economy is also challenged by an unstable financial services sector, highly leveraged corporate balance sheets and extensive cross-ownership among major corporations. Structural social and labor market changes, including an aging workforce, population decline and traditional aversion to labor mobility may adversely affect Japan’s economic competitiveness and growth potential. The potential for natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons and tsunamis, could also have significant negative effects on Japan’s economy. As a result of the Fund’s investment in Japanese securities, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Japan fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in Japan.
Prospectus 2019 B-6

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Hedging Transactions Risk. The Fund may invest in securities and utilize financial instruments for a variety of hedging purposes. Hedging transactions may limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. There can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in hedging transactions at any given time, even under volatile market conditions, or that any hedging transactions the Fund engages in will be successful. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to enter into a hedging transaction at a price sufficient to protect its assets. The Fund may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it.
Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may include highly leveraged transactions whereby the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Industry Concentration Risk.  Investments that are concentrated in a particular industry will make the Fund’s portfolio value more susceptible to the events or conditions impacting that particular industry. Because the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in money market instruments issued by banks, the value of the Fund may be adversely affected by economic, political or regulatory developments in or that impact the banking industry.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Investing in Other Funds Risk. The Fund’s investment in other funds (affiliated and/or unaffiliated funds, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) subjects the Fund to the investment performance (positive or negative) and risks of the underlying funds in direct proportion to the Fund’s investment therein. In addition, investments in ETFs have
B-7 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. The performance of the underlying funds could be adversely affected if other investors in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying fund being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the underlying funds could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying funds. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated underlying funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund.  The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated underlying funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in other underlying funds, including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if an appropriate alternate underlying fund is not identified in a timely manner or at all. The underlying funds may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in underlying funds, may not achieve its investment objective.
Investing in Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Risk. By investing in a Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The Fund’s Principal Risks may also apply to a Subsidiary in which the Fund invests (which are described in this prospectus). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of a Subsidiary will be achieved. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and any Subsidiary in which it invests, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) and could adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, short sales, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Because short sales involve borrowing securities and then selling them, the Fund’s short sales effectively leverage the Fund’s assets. The Fund's assets that are used as collateral to secure the Fund's obligations to return the securities sold short may decrease in value while the short positions are outstanding, which may force the Fund to use its other
Prospectus 2019 B-8

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
assets to increase the collateral. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may trade infrequently, their value may be impaired when the Fund needs to liquidate such loans, and are typically subject to extended settlement periods, each of which gives rise to liquidity risk.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, and the Fund, to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, may need to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the
B-9 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. The Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Investors have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. Investments are also subject to certain tax risks and conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership.
Model and Data Risk. Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Fund’s subadviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (Models and Data). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.
When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the subadviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the subadviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
All models rely on correct data inputs. If incorrect data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if data is inputted correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.
The Fund is unlikely to be successful unless the assumptions underlying the models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated, and major losses may result.
The subadviser, in its sole discretion, will continue to test, evaluate and add new models, which may result in the modification of existing models from time to time. There can be no assurance that model modifications will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Momentum Style Risk. Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund
Prospectus 2019 B-10

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
(i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Money Market Fund Risk (For Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) . Although government money market funds (such as the Fund) may seek to preserve the value of shareholders’ investment at $1.00 per share, the NAVs of such money market fund shares can fall, and in infrequent cases in the past have fallen, below $1.00 per share, potentially causing shareholders who redeem their shares at such NAVs to lose money from their original investment.
At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund and cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. Additionally, in some cases, the default of a single portfolio security could cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
Money Market Fund Risk (For Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund) . At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
If, at any time, the Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 30% of its total assets and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund, the Fund may, as early as the same day and at any time during the day, impose a fee of up to 2% of the value of all shares redeemed and/or temporarily suspend redemptions (sometimes referred to as imposing redemption gates) for up to 10 business days. If, at the end of any business day, the Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 10% of its total assets, the Fund must impose a fee, as of the beginning of the next business day, of 1% of the value of all shares redeemed, unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee is not in the best interests of the Fund or the Board determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2% of the value of all shares redeemed) would be in the best interests of the Fund. These determinations may affect the composition of the investment portfolio, performance and operating expenses of the Fund.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not
B-11 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
New Fund Risk. Investors in newly formed funds bear the risk that the fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage
Prospectus 2019 B-12

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Regulatory Risk — Alternative Investments. Legal, tax, and regulatory developments may adversely affect the Fund and its investments. The regulatory environment for the Fund and certain of its investments is evolving, and changes in the regulation of investment funds, their managers, and their trading activities and capital markets, or a regulator’s disagreement with the Fund’s or others’ interpretation of the application of certain regulations, may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, its ability to obtain leverage and financing, and the value of investments held by the Fund. There has been an increase in governmental, as well as self-regulatory, scrutiny of the investment industry in general and the alternative investment industry in particular. It is impossible to predict what, if any, changes in regulations may occur, but any regulation that restricts the ability of the Fund or any underlying funds or other investments to trade in securities or other instruments or the ability of the Fund or underlying funds to employ, or brokers and other counterparties to extend, credit in their trading (as well as other regulatory changes that result) could have a material adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.
Reinvestment  Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Repurchase Agreements  Risk. Repurchase agreements are agreements in which the seller of a security to the Fund agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Repurchase agreements carry the risk that the counterparty may not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. This could cause the Fund's income and the value of your investment in the Fund to decline.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk (the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested). Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that
B-13 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Energy Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the energy sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Health Care Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the health care sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid
Prospectus 2019 B-14

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Materials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the materials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the materials sector are subject to certain risks, including that many materials companies are significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, environmental policies, consumer demand, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the materials sector. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, that at times worldwide production of industrial materials has exceeded demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns or losses. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The materials sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions. In addition, prices of, and thus the Fund’s investments in, precious metals are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide and economic, financial and political factors. Prices of precious metals may fluctuate sharply.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Short Positions Risk. The Fund may establish short positions which introduce more risk to the Fund than long positions (where the Fund owns the instrument or other asset) because the maximum sustainable loss on an instrument or other asset purchased (held long) is limited to the amount paid for the instrument or other asset plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum price of the shorted instrument or other asset when purchased in the open market. Therefore, in theory, short positions have unlimited risk. The Fund’s use of short positions in effect “leverages” the Fund. Leverage potentially exposes the Fund to greater risks of loss due to unanticipated market movements, which may magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns. To the extent the Fund takes a short position in a derivative instrument or other asset, this involves the risk of a potentially unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument or other asset.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable
B-15 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
fluctuations. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receive differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. The cash flows and yields on IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. A rapid rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of IOs. A slow rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of POs. If prepayments of principal are greater than anticipated, an investor in IOs may incur substantial losses. If prepayments of principal are slower than anticipated, the yield on a PO will be affected more severely than would be the case with a traditional mortgage-backed security.
Stripped Securities Risk. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal components of debt securities. These securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, and therefore subject to greater fluctuations in price than typical interest bearing debt securities.
Tax Risk. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet certain requirements regarding the source of its income. The Fund's investments can be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can limit the Fund's ability to so qualify. The tax treatment of certain investments and of the income and gain therefrom under the qualifying income test applicable to regulated investment companies is uncertain, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) may affect the Fund's ability to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, including on a retroactive basis. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company, or if it were ineligible to or otherwise could not cure such failure, the Fund would be ineligible (including retroactively) for the favorable tax treatment afforded to regulated investment companies for one or more years, which would adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund. The Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in the Subsidiary. The Fund and the Subsidiary currently take steps to, and will continue to take steps to, ensure that the Fund's income in respect of the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income. Failure to do so could affect the ability of the Fund to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income of the Fund. Also, net losses realized by the Subsidiary cannot be carried forward to offset income of the Subsidiary in future years.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Valuation Risk. The sales price the Fund (or an underlying fund or other investment vehicle) could receive for any particular investment may differ from the Fund’s (or an underlying fund’s or other investment vehicle’s) valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology that produces an estimate of the fair value of the security/instrument, which may prove to be inaccurate. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding securities or other instruments (or holding shares of underlying funds or other investment vehicles that have fair-valued securities or other instruments in their portfolios) may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if the Fund (or underlying fund or other investment vehicle) had not fair-valued the security
Prospectus 2019 B-16

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Fund of Funds
Appendix B (continued)
or instrument or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed-income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the market on which they are valued, but before the Fund determines its NAV.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility Risk. The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and are subject to liquidity risk which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares below the current market price. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
When-Issued, Delayed Settlement and Forward Commitment Transactions, Including U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes Risk. When-issued, delayed delivery, and forward commitment transactions generally involve the purchase of a security with payment and delivery at some time in the future – i.e., beyond normal settlement. A Fund does not earn interest on such securities until settlement and bears the risk of market value fluctuations in between the purchase and settlement dates. Such transactions include floating rate obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury. Securities with floating or variable interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with fixed interest rates, but may decline in value if their coupon rates do not reset as high, or as quickly, as interest rates in general, and generally carry lower yields than fixed notes of the same maturity.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds are bonds that do not pay interest in cash on a current basis, but instead accrue interest over the life of the bond. As a result, these securities are issued at a discount and their values may fluctuate more than the values of similar securities that pay interest periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to maturity, interest accrued on these securities is reported as income to the Fund and affects the amounts distributed to its shareholders, which may cause the Fund to sell investments to obtain cash to make income distributions to shareholders, including at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.
B-17 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents

  
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents

  
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO-CONSERVATIVE  PORTFOLIO
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO-MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO-MODERATE PORTFOLIO
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO-MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO-AGGRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Funds are sold exclusively as underlying options of variable insurance policies and variable annuity contracts issued by affiliated insurance companies. Please refer to the Contract prospectus that describes your annuity contract or insurance policy for information about how to buy, sell and transfer your investment among shares of the Funds.
Additional Information About the Funds
Additional information about each Fund’s investments is available in the Funds’ SAI, annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Funds and their policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Funds and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Funds as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about each Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which each Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
S-6534-99 AR (05/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund

  
The Fund may offer Class 1 and Class 2 shares to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and other qualified institutional investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Fund.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Table of Contents

3

3

3

4

4

10

11

11

11

11

12

12

12

14

21

25

28

28

29

30

30

30

31

33

37

37

37

39
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.63% 0.63%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.03% 0.03%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.66% 0.91%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $67 $211 $368 $ 822
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $93 $290 $504 $1,120
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 0% of the average value of its portfolio.
In accordance with industry practice, derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate, which leads to the 0% portfolio turnover rate reported above. If these instruments were included in the calculation, the Fund would have a high portfolio turnover rate (typically greater than 300% (as discussed below under Principal Investment Strategies )).
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to maintain substantial economic exposure to the performance of the commodities markets. The Fund invests, directly or indirectly, in a portfolio of commodity-linked investments, such as commodity-linked futures, structured notes and/or swaps, that are designed to provide exposure to the investment return of assets that trade in the commodities markets, without investing directly in physical commodities. A substantial portion of the Fund’s net assets will also be invested in a portfolio of fixed income securities rated investment-grade or, if unrated, deemed of comparable quality, which will consist primarily of: (i) U.S. Government securities, corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed securities and/or asset-backed securities; and/or (ii) shares of an affiliated money market fund. In addition to investing in these holdings for their income-producing potential, these holdings will be designated by the Fund, as necessary, to serve as collateral with respect to the Fund’s commodity-linked investments.
The Fund primarily expects to gain exposure to the commodities markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Subsidiary). The Subsidiary’s commodity-linked investments are expected to produce leveraged exposure to the performance of the commodities markets. It is expected that the gross notional value of the Fund’s (including the Subsidiary’s) commodity-linked investments will be equivalent to at least 90% of the Fund’s net assets. Like the Fund, the Subsidiary will not invest directly in physical commodities. The Subsidiary also invests in investment-grade fixed income securities and shares of an affiliated money market fund for investment purposes or to serve as collateral for its commodity-linked investments. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary permits it to gain exposure to the commodities markets in a potentially tax-efficient manner. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund and, like the Fund, is managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) and subadvised by Threadneedle International Limited (Threadneedle).
The Fund may invest in derivatives, including futures contracts (including commodity-linked futures), options contracts (including options on futures contracts), structured investments (including commodity-linked structured notes) and swaps (including commodity-linked swaps) to increase, modify, or reduce commodity market exposures. Actual exposures will vary over time based on factors such as market movements and assessments of market conditions by the Fund's portfolio managers.  The Fund may engage in derivative transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges or in the "over-the-counter" (OTC) market. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the energy and materials sectors.
In constructing the Fund’s fixed-income portfolio, Threadneedle seeks to identify a portfolio of investment-grade fixed income securities, generally with a dollar-weighted average portfolio duration of 1 year or less.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities. Additionally, the Fund’s strategy of investing in derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, will also contribute to frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover (typically greater than 300% per year).
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Commodity-related Investment Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund as well as those associated with the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. (References in this section to “the Fund” also include the Subsidiary, which shares the same risks as the Fund.)
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Regulatory Risk. The Fund does not qualify for an exemption from registration as a “commodity pool” under rules of the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA). Accordingly, the Fund is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Investment Manager is registered as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA. The Fund is subject to dual regulation by the SEC and the CFTC. Compliance with the CFTC’s regulatory requirements could increase Fund expenses, adversely affecting the Fund's total return.
Commodity-related Investment Risk. The value of commodities investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include demand for the commodity, weather, embargoes, tariffs, and economic health, political, international, regulatory and other developments. Exposure to commodities and commodities markets may subject the value of the Fund’s investments to greater volatility than other types of investments. Commodities investments may also subject the Fund to counterparty risk and liquidity risk. The Fund may make commodity-related investments through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries organized outside the U.S. that are generally not subject to U.S. laws (including securities laws) and their protections.
Commodity-related Tax Risk. The Fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund’s investments in commodities or commodity-related investments can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. Structured investments may create economic leverage which may increase the volatility of the value of the investment. Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Investing in Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Risk. By investing in a Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The Fund’s Principal Risks may also apply to a Subsidiary in which the Fund invests (which are described in this prospectus). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of a Subsidiary will be achieved. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and any Subsidiary in which it invests, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) and could adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. In general, commodity investments tend to have greater price volatility than debt securities.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the energy and materials sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Energy Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the energy sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Materials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the materials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the materials sector are subject to certain risks, including that many materials companies are significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, environmental policies, consumer demand, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the materials sector. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, that at times worldwide production of industrial materials has exceeded demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns or losses. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The materials sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions. In addition, prices of, and thus the Fund’s investments in, precious metals are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide and economic, financial and political factors. Prices of precious metals may fluctuate sharply.
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Tax Risk. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet certain requirements regarding the source of its income. The Fund's investments can be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can limit the Fund's ability to so qualify. The tax treatment of certain investments and of the income and gain therefrom under the qualifying income test applicable to regulated investment companies is uncertain, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) may affect the Fund's ability to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, including on a retroactive basis. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company, or if it were ineligible to or otherwise could not cure such failure, the Fund would be ineligible (including retroactively) for the favorable tax treatment afforded to regulated investment companies for one or more years, which would adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund. The Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in the Subsidiary. The Fund and the Subsidiary currently take steps to, and will continue to take steps to, ensure that the Fund's income in respect of the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income. Failure to do so could affect the ability of the Fund to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income of the Fund. Also, net losses realized by the Subsidiary cannot be carried forward to offset income of the Subsidiary in future years.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 (follow the prompts or ask for a representative), visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com, or by sending an e-mail to serviceinquiries@columbiathreadneedle.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2016 13.14%
Worst

4th Quarter 2014 -14.88%
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 04/30/2013 -13.77% -9.83% -9.62%
Class 2 04/30/2013 -14.17% -10.10% -9.86%
Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -11.25% -8.80% -8.78%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Threadneedle International Limited
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
David Donora   Portfolio Manager and Head of Commodities at Threadneedle International Limited   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Nicolas Robin   Portfolio Manager at Threadneedle International Limited   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return.
The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to maintain substantial economic exposure to the performance of the commodities markets. The Fund invests, directly or indirectly, in a portfolio of commodity-linked investments, such as commodity-linked futures, structured notes and/or swaps, that are designed to provide exposure to the investment return of assets that trade in the commodities markets, without investing directly in physical commodities. A substantial portion of the Fund’s net assets will also be invested in a portfolio of fixed income securities rated investment-grade or, if unrated, deemed of comparable quality, which will consist primarily of: (i) U.S. Government securities, corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed securities and/or asset-backed securities; and/or (ii) shares of an affiliated money market fund. In addition to investing in these holdings for their income-producing potential, these holdings will be designated by the Fund, as necessary, to serve as collateral with respect to the Fund’s commodity-linked investments.
The Fund primarily expects to gain exposure to the commodities markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Subsidiary). The Subsidiary’s commodity-linked investments are expected to produce leveraged exposure to the performance of the commodities markets. It is expected that the gross notional value of the Fund’s (including the Subsidiary’s) commodity-linked investments will be equivalent to at least 90% of the Fund’s net assets. Like the Fund, the Subsidiary will not invest directly in physical commodities. The Subsidiary also invests in investment-grade fixed income securities and shares of an affiliated money market fund for investment purposes or to serve as collateral for its commodity-linked investments. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary permits it to gain exposure to the commodities markets in a potentially tax-efficient manner. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund and, like the Fund, is managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) and subadvised by Threadneedle International Limited (Threadneedle).
The Fund (primarily through the Subsidiary) is expected to invest significantly in commodity-linked futures contracts in furtherance of its investment objective. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument, asset (e.g., commodity) or currency at a future time at a specified price. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. In particular, commodity futures contracts normally specify a certain date for the delivery of the underlying physical commodity. In order to avoid the delivery process and maintain a long futures position, the Fund and the Subsidiary will typically replace futures contracts as they approach expiration by contracts that have a later expiration. This process is known as “rolling” a futures position. As a result, the Fund and the Subsidiary do not expect to engage in physical settlement of commodities futures.
The Fund and the Subsidiary may also utilize commodity-linked structured notes to gain exposure to commodities markets.
The Fund and the Subsidiary typically have the right to “put” (or sell) a commodity-linked structured note to the issuer at any time, at a price that is calculated based on the price movement of the underlying variable. Commodity-linked structured notes have characteristics of both a debt security and a commodity-linked derivative. Typically, commodity-linked structured notes are issued by a bank or other financial institution or a commodity producer at a specified face value (for example $100 or $1,000). They usually pay interest at a fixed or floating rate until they mature, which is normally in 12 to 18 months. At maturity, the Fund or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives a payment that is calculated based on the price increase or decrease of an underlying commodity-related variable and may be based on a multiple of the price movement of that variable. The underlying commodity-related variable may be a physical
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
commodity (such as heating oil, livestock, or agricultural products), a commodity futures or option contract, a commodity index (such as the S&P GSCI), or some other readily measurable variable that reflects changes in the value of particular commodities or the commodities markets. A typical commodity-linked structured note also provides that the issuer will automatically repurchase the note from the Fund or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, if the value of the note decreases to a specified level based on the price of the underlying variable.
The Fund and the Subsidiary may also invest in commodity-linked swaps. Commodity-linked swaps are two party contracts in which the parties agree to exchange the return or interest rate on one instrument for the return of a particular commodity, commodity index or commodities futures or options contract. The payment streams are calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount.
Derivatives, including those described above and options contracts (including options on futures contracts), may also be utilized to increase, modify, or reduce commodity market exposures. Actual exposures will vary over time based on factors such as market movements and assessments of market conditions by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may engage in derivative transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges or in the “over-the-counter” (OTC) market. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the energy and materials sectors.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities. Additionally, the Fund’s strategy of investing in derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, will also contribute to frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover (typically greater than 300% per year).
Columbia Management serves as the investment manager to the Fund and is responsible for oversight of the Fund’s subadviser, Threadneedle, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., the parent company of the Investment Manager.
Investment Process
In constructing the Fund’s exposure to commodities markets, Threadneedle seeks to exploit temporary market inefficiencies or other events and identify investment opportunities across a broad spectrum of the commodities markets through the use of both macroeconomic assessments of commodity sectors (such as industrial metals sector, precious metals sector, energy sector and agriculture sector) and fundamental analyses of individual commodities (such as aluminum, zinc, silver, platinum, crude oil, natural gas, corn, cocoa, etc.). In analyzing conditions for investment in particular sectors and applying macroeconomic analysis, the Fund’s portfolio managers will rely on economic research, investment themes and sector weighting and asset allocation considerations. The portfolio managers’ views of individual commodities are driven by market information (i.e., relative value) and fundamental inputs (e.g., short-term shifts in supply and demand, weather conditions for particular agricultural commodities), technical inputs (e.g., volatility, market trends), seasonal inputs (e.g., seasonal period performance), and structural and liquidity inputs (e.g., heavy shorting in market against a particular commodity). The portfolio managers will then implement their approach by constructing a portfolio that is generally allocated among a variety of commodity sectors. The portfolio managers will consider which type of commodity-linked investment is best suited to provide the desired exposure to the commodities markets at a given point in time and the extent to which investments should be made directly or indirectly through the Subsidiary.
In constructing the Fund’s fixed-income portfolio, Threadneedle seeks to identify a portfolio of investment-grade fixed income securities, generally with a dollar-weighted average portfolio duration of 1 year or less. Duration measures the sensitivity of bond prices to changes in interest rates. The longer the duration of a bond, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, a three-year duration means a bond is expected to decrease in value by 3% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 3% if interest rates fall 1%. In pursuing the Fund’s investment objective, Threadneedle has considerable flexibility in deciding which investments it buys, holds or sells on a day-to-day basis.
Threadneedle actively manages the Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s exposure to commodities markets and will rebalance commodity sector positions and weightings when there are perceived opportunities in other sectors or in other individual commodities.
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Commodity-related Investment Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund as well as those associated with the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. (References in this section to “the Fund” also include the Subsidiary, which shares the same risks as the Fund.)
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Regulatory Risk. The Fund does not qualify for an exemption from registration as a “commodity pool” under rules of the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA). Accordingly, the Fund is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Investment Manager is registered as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA. The Fund is subject to dual regulation by the SEC and the CFTC. Compliance with the CFTC’s regulatory requirements could increase Fund expenses, adversely affecting the Fund's total return.
Commodity-related Investment Risk. The value of commodities investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include demand for the commodity, weather, embargoes, tariffs, and economic health, political, international, regulatory and other developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may, in turn, reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. Exposure to commodities and commodities markets may subject the value of the Fund's investments to greater volatility than other types of investments. No, or limited, active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodities investments thereby subjecting the Fund to increased liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). Certain types of commodities instruments are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument. The Fund may make commodity-related investments through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries organized outside the U.S. that are generally not subject to U.S. laws (including securities laws) and their protections. However, any such subsidiary is wholly owned and controlled by the Fund, making it unlikely that the subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Further, any such subsidiaries will be subject to the laws of a foreign jurisdiction, and can be adversely affected by developments in that jurisdiction.
Commodity-related Tax Risk. The Fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund’s investments in commodities or commodity-related investments can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A commodity-linked future is a derivative that is an agreement to buy or sell one or more commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), basket of commodities or indices of commodity futures at a specific date in the future at a specific price.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments typically provide interest income, thereby offering a potential yield advantage over investing directly in an underlying reference. Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. In some cases, depending on its terms, a structured investment may provide that principal and/or interest payments may be adjusted below zero resulting in a potential loss of principal and/or interest payments. Additionally, the particular terms of a structured investment may create economic leverage by requiring payment by the issuer of an amount that is a multiple of the price change of the underlying reference. Economic leverage will increase the volatility of structured investment prices, and could result in increased losses for the Fund. The Fund’s use of structured instruments may not work as intended. If structured investments are used to reduce the duration of the Fund’s portfolio, this may limit the Fund’s return when having a longer duration would be beneficial (for instance, when interest rates decline). Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A commodity-linked structured note is a derivative (structured investment) that has principal and/or interest payments based on the market price of one or more particular commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), a basket of commodities, indices of commodity futures or other economic variable. If payment of interest on a commodity-linked structured note is linked to the value of a particular commodity, basket of commodities, commodity index or other economic variable, the Fund might receive lower interest payments (or not receive any of the interest due) on its investments if there is a loss of value in the underlying reference. Further, to the extent that the amount of principal to be repaid upon maturity is linked to the value of a particular commodity,
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
  basket of commodities, commodity index or other economic variable, the Fund might not receive a portion (or any) of the principal at maturity of the investment or upon earlier exchange. At any time, the risk of loss associated with a particular structured note in the Fund’s portfolio may be significantly higher than the value of the note. A liquid secondary market may not exist for the commodity-linked structured notes held in the Fund’s portfolio, which may make it difficult for the notes to be sold at a price acceptable to the portfolio manager(s) or for the Fund to accurately value them.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A commodity-linked swap is a derivative (swap) that is an agreement where the underlying reference is the market price of one or more particular commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), basket of commodities or indices of commodity futures.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Investing in Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Risk. By investing in a Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The Fund’s Principal Risks may also apply to a Subsidiary in which the Fund invests (which are described in this prospectus). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of a Subsidiary will be achieved. No Subsidiary is registered under the 1940 Act and, except as otherwise noted in this prospectus, no Subsidiary is subject to the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls any Subsidiary in which it invests, and the Fund and any Subsidiary in which it invests are managed by Columbia Management, making it unlikely that a Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund’s Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in any Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. In managing a Subsidiary’s investment portfolio, Columbia Management, or the Subsidiary’s subadviser (if any), will manage the Subsidiary’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and any Subsidiary in which it invests, respectively, are organized,
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. For example, the Cayman Islands currently does not impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on any Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law is changed and a Subsidiary is required to pay Cayman Island taxes, the investment returns of the Fund would likely decrease.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the securities the Fund holds can be affected by changes or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies and financial markets, and the liquidity of these securities, among other factors. In general, commodity investments tend to have greater price volatility than debt securities. In addition, commodity prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the energy and materials sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Energy Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the energy sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Materials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the materials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the materials sector are subject to certain risks, including that many materials companies are significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, environmental policies, consumer demand, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the materials sector. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, that at times worldwide production of industrial materials has exceeded demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, leading to poor
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
investment returns or losses. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The materials sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions. In addition, prices of, and thus the Fund’s investments in, precious metals are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide and economic, financial and political factors. Prices of precious metals may fluctuate sharply.
Tax Risk. To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from sources treated as “qualifying income” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and meet certain asset diversification requirements, including that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its total assets be invested including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or greater voting stock interest in any single issuer. The Fund's investments can be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can limit the Fund's ability to so qualify. The tax treatment of certain of the Fund's investments and of the income and gain therefrom for these purposes is uncertain, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS may affect the Fund's ability to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, including on a retroactive basis. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company, or if it were ineligible to or otherwise could not cure such failure, the Fund would be ineligible (including retroactively) for the favorable tax treatment afforded to it as such for one or more years, which would adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund. The Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in the Subsidiary. The Fund and the Subsidiary currently take steps to, and will continue to take steps to, ensure that the Fund's income in respect of the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income. Failure to do so could affect the ability of the Fund to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income of the Fund. Also, net losses realized by the Subsidiary cannot be carried forward to offset income of the Subsidiary in future years. Please refer to “Distributions and Taxes” in this prospectus or to “Taxation” in the SAI for additional information about the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Fund.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the SAI. The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral.
The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedleus.com) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund
Class 1 0.80%
Class 2 1.05%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Obtaining Recent Net Asset Value Per Share
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time. For additional information on how the Fund calculates its NAV, see About Fund Shares and Transactions Share Price Determination below.
You may obtain the current NAV of Fund shares at no cost by calling 800.345.6611 (follow the prompts or ask for a representative) or by sending an e-mail to serviceinquiries@columbiathreadneedle.com.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund. The Investment Manager is responsible for the investment management of the Fund, but has delegated certain of its duties, including day-to-day portfolio management of all or a portion of the Fund’s assets to one or more investment subadvisers that determine what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to 0.63% of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
The Investment Manager has, with the approval of the Board, engaged an investment subadviser(s) to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. The Investment Manager pays the subadviser(s) for investment advisory services and retains ultimate responsibility (subject to Board oversight) for overseeing any subadviser it engages and for evaluating the Fund’s needs and the subadvisers’ skills and abilities on an ongoing basis. Based on its evaluations, the Investment Manager may at times recommend to the Board that the Fund change, add or terminate one or more subadvisers; continue to retain a subadviser even though the subadviser’s ownership or corporate structure has changed; or materially change a subadvisory agreement with a subadviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment subadvisory agreement with Threadneedle is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Subadviser
Threadneedle, which has served as Subadviser to the Fund and the Subsidiary since April 2013, is located at Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Threadneedle is an affiliate of the Investment Manager, and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. Threadneedle was founded in 1994 and has experience managing investment strategies covering equities, fixed income, real estate, asset allocation and alternatives.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s and the Subsidiary's investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
Subadviser: Threadneedle International Limited
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
David Donora   Portfolio Manager and Head of Commodities at Threadneedle International Limited   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Nicolas Robin   Portfolio Manager at Threadneedle International Limited   Co-Portfolio Manager   2013
Mr. Donora joined Threadneedle in 2008 as a fund manager specializing in commodities. Prior to joining Threadneedle, Mr. Donora worked at Marine Midland Bank, UBS AG, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Refco Overseas Ltd. Mr. Donora began his investment career in 1982 and earned a B.A. in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.
Mr. Robin joined Threadneedle in 2010 as a fund manager specializing in commodities. Prior to joining Threadneedle, Mr. Robin worked at Barep Asset Management (Société Générale Group) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Mr. Robin began his investment career in 2001 and earned a BSc in Government and Economics and MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics.
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
About the Fund’s Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
The Subsidiary is an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Fund will invest in the Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of Subchapter M of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to “regulated investment companies.” The Fund must invest no more than 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary as of the end of each quarter of its taxable year.
The Subsidiary is overseen by its own board of directors. However, the Fund’s Board oversees investment activities of the Subsidiary generally as if the Subsidiary’s investments were held directly by the Fund. The Investment Manager is responsible for the Subsidiary’s day-to-day business pursuant to a separate management agreement, which includes investment advisory services and administrative services, between the Subsidiary and the Investment Manager. Threadneedle selects the Subsidiary’s investments pursuant to an addendum to the Subadvisory Agreement with the Investment Manager. Under these agreements, the Investment Manager and Threadneedle provide the Subsidiary with the same type of management and subadvisory services, under the same terms, as are provided to the Fund. The Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract for the provision of custody services with the same service provider who provides these services to the Fund. The Subsidiary will bear the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the management and custody services that it receives. The Fund expects that the expenses borne by the Subsidiary will not be material in relation to the value of the Fund’s assets.
In determining which investments should be bought and sold for the Subsidiary, and in adhering to the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures, the Investment Manager will treat the assets of the Subsidiary as if the assets were held directly by the Fund. The Investment Manager will, to the extent applicable, also treat the assets of the Subsidiary as if the assets were held directly by the Fund with respect to its adherence to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions.
Please refer to the SAI for additional information about the organization and management of the Subsidiary.
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1 and Class 2 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor.
Investment Limits none none
Conversion Features none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract, qualified pension or retirement plan sponsors or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
30 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide shareholder services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
32 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Shareholder Information
Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. Your product may not offer every share class. The Fund encourages you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions and for more information about the share classes offered by the Fund and available under your product. Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts and Qualified Plan sponsors.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners or participants in a Qualified Plan. When you sell your shares through your Contract or Qualified Plan, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract, participant in a Qualified Plan or qualified institutional investor who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or Qualified Plan or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts or the Qualified Plan.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event
Prospectus 2019 33

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase only through Contracts offered by participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners, and the interests of Qualified Plan participants, if any, may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract or Qualified Plan. Any charges that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans that may own shares directly, are described in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract or Qualified Plan. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, as applicable, for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
34 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
Prospectus 2019 35

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
36 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases. While a fund continues to hold an investment, any gain is generally unrealized. If the fund sells an investment, it generally will realize a capital gain if it sells that investment for a higher price than its adjusted cost basis, and will generally realize a capital loss if it sells that investment for a lower price than its adjusted cost basis. Capital gains and losses are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund holds the securities for one year or less (short-term) or more than one year (long-term).
Mutual funds make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's distributed income, including capital gains. Reinvesting your distributions buys you more shares of a fund which lets you take advantage of the potential for compound growth. Putting the money you earn back into your investment means it, in turn, may earn even more money (or be exposed to additional losses, if the fund earns a negative return). Over time, the power of compounding has the potential to significantly increase the value of your investment. There is no assurance, however, that you'll earn more money if you reinvest your distributions rather than receive them in cash.
The Fund intends to pay out, in the form of distributions to shareholders, a sufficient amount of its income and gains so that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and generally will not have to pay any federal excise tax. The Fund generally intends to distribute any net realized capital gain (whether long-term or short-term gain) at least once a year. Normally, the Fund will declare and pay distributions of net investment income according to the following schedule:
    
Declaration and Distribution Schedule
Declarations Annually
Distributions Annually
The Fund may declare or pay distributions of net investment income more frequently.
Different share classes of the Fund usually pay different net investment income distribution amounts, because each class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the NAV per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution.
The Fund will automatically reinvest distributions in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund unless you inform us you want to receive your distributions to be paid in cash.
Taxes and Your Investment
The Fund intends to qualify and to be eligible for treatment each year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in fund-level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you.
Shares of the Fund are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Prospectus 2019 37

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts.
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
38 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Consolidated Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 39

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Consolidated Financial Highlights (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.05 0.07 (0.90) (0.83) (0.01) (0.01)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.33 0.01 0.07 0.08 (0.36) (0.36)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $5.61 (0.02) 0.74 0.72
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $7.34 (0.05) (1.68) (1.73)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.32 (0.07) (1.91) (1.98)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $6.00 0.06 (0.91) (0.85)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.27 (0.01) 0.08 0.07 (0.34) (0.34)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $5.58 (0.04) 0.73 0.69
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $7.32 (0.07) (1.67) (1.74)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.32 (0.09) (1.91) (2.00)
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interfund lending expense which is less than 0.01%.
40 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
Consolidated Financial Highlights (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.21 (13.77%) 0.66% (c) 0.66% (c) 1.18% 0% $226,877
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.05 1.80% 0.69% 0.69% 0.15% 0% $536,624
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.33 12.83% 0.74% 0.74% (0.39%) 0% $481,110
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $5.61 (23.57%) 0.88% 0.88% (0.77%) 0% $42,326
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $7.34 (21.24%) 0.78% 0.78% (0.71%) 0% $66,873
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $5.15 (14.17%) 0.92% (c) 0.92% (c) 1.05% 0% $15,269
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $6.00 1.71% 0.94% 0.94% (0.09%) 0% $15,541
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $6.27 12.37% 0.99% 0.99% (0.63%) 0% $10,540
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $5.58 (23.77%) 1.15% 1.15% (1.02%) 0% $3,550
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $7.32 (21.46%) 1.03% 1.03% (0.96%) 0% $1,492
  
Prospectus 2019 41

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents

  
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Fund is generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies and participants in Qualified Plans. Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
S-6628-99 AR (05/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund

  
This Fund is closed to new investors.
Please remember that you may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You invest by owning RiverSource Variable Annuity Fund A or RiverSource Variable Annuity Fund B contract (the Contract) and allocating your purchase payments to the variable account that invests in the Fund. There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Fund.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Table of Contents

3

3

3

4

4

6

6

6

6

7

8

8

8

8

11

14

16

17

18

18

18

19

20

25

25

25

26
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management fees 0.40%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00%
Other expenses 0.04%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.44%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.04%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.40%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) indefinitely. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rate of 0.40%.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
The example includes contractual commitments to waive fees and reimburse expenses as indicated in the previous table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund $41 $128 $224 $505
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 73% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations greater than $5 billion at the time of purchase or that are within the market capitalization range of companies in the S&P 500 Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stocks. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity futures and index futures) for cash equitization purposes.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers use quantitative analysis to evaluate the relative attractiveness of potential investments.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Quantitative Model Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Although the Fund is managed based primarily on quantitative methods, a qualitative review of the quantitative output is conducted by the portfolio managers. Therefore, the Fund’s performance will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make active, qualitative decisions, including allocation decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2009 16.36%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -13.62%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Inception Date 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund 09/10/2004 -3.28% 8.98% 14.14%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 8.49% 13.12%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Condon, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Strategies   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Peter Albanese   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You invest by buying an annuity contract and allocating your purchase payments to the variable account that invests in the Fund. Please see your annuity prospectus for more information.
Tax Information
The Fund, a so-called disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes, does not expect to make regular distributions to shareholders (variable accounts). Federal income taxation of the variable account, life insurance company and annuity contract is discussed in your annuity contract prospectus.
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
The Fund is sold exclusively as an underlying investment option of variable annuity contracts (products) offered by RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life). RiverSource Life may receive payments from affiliates for including the Fund as an investment option in the products. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing RiverSource Life’s decision regarding which funds to include in a product. Employees of RiverSource Life and their affiliates, including affiliated broker-dealers, may be separately incented to include the Fund in the product or, if included, recommend the sale of Fund shares, as employee compensation (directly or indirectly) and business unit operating goals at all levels are tied to the company’s success. See the product prospectus for more information regarding these payments and allocations.
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations greater than $5 billion at the time of purchase or that are within the market capitalization range of companies in the S&P 500 Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stocks. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity futures and index futures) for cash equitization purposes.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers use quantitative analysis to evaluate the relative attractiveness of potential investments.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) considers a variety of factors in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio which may include, among others, the following:
Valuation factors, such as earnings and cash flow relative to market values;
Catalyst factors, such as relative stock price performance, business momentum, and short interest measures; and
Quality factors, such as quality of earnings and financial strength.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when it believes other stocks in the Index or other investments are more attractive, if the security is believed to be overvalued relative to other potential investments, when the company no longer meets the Investment Manager’s performance expectation, when the security is removed from the Index, or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Quantitative Model Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Although the Fund is managed based primarily on quantitative methods, a qualitative review of the quantitative output is conducted by the portfolio managers. Therefore, the Fund’s performance will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make active, qualitative decisions, including allocation decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral.
The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information may not always be current.
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratio reflects the Fund’s fee arrangements, as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise is based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratio to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratio will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratio may be higher than the expense ratio presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, if assets fall. Any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratio that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (a) investment management fees, and (b) other expenses.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) indefinitely, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rate of:
    
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
  0.40%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to 0.40% of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Condon, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Strategies   Co-Portfolio Manager   2010
Peter Albanese   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2014
Mr. Condon joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1999. Mr. Condon began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.A. from Bryant University and an M.S. in finance from Bentley University.
Mr. Albanese joined the Investment Manager in August 2014. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Albanese was a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at Robeco Investment Management. Mr. Albanese began his investment career in 1991 and earned a B.S. from Stony Brook University and an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions
Description of the Share Class
Share Class Features
    
Eligible Investors The Fund is available exclusively as an underlying investment option of variable annuity contracts offered by RiverSource Life Insurance Company
Investment Limits none  
Conversion Features none  
Front-End Sales Charges none  
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none  
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none  
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
that provide Shareholder Services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share. The Fund calculates the NAV per share at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
The Fund calculates its NAV as follows:
NAV =   (Value of assets) – (Liabilities)
Number of outstanding shares
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
Shareholder Information
Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners. When you sell your shares through your Contract, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies and may also be available to other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Additional Discussion of Potential Conflicts of Interest Relating to Funds Used Exclusively by Affiliated Insurance Companies
The Fund is sold exclusively as underlying investment options of the Contracts offered by RiverSource Life Insurance Company (the Company). The Investment Manager and its affiliates make or support payments out of their own resources to the Company as a result of the Company including the Fund as an investment option in the Contracts.
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
These allocations may be significant. In addition, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of the Company, may be separately incented to include the Fund in the Contracts, as employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are tied to the company’s success. These Contracts may also include unaffiliated mutual funds as investment options, and the Company receives payments from the sponsors of these unaffiliated mutual funds as a result of including these funds in the products. The amount of payment from sponsors of unaffiliated funds or allocation from the Investment Manager and its affiliates varies, and may be significant. The amount of the payment or allocation the Company receives from a Fund may create an incentive for the Company and may influence their decision regarding which funds to include in a Contract. Employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers, may be separately incented to recommend or sell shares of the Fund, as employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are tied to the company’s success. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, may receive higher compensation and other benefits as investments in the Fund increase. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including Columbia Management, and the Distributor, and the products they offer, including the Fund. These arrangements are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing payments,” and are in addition to any Rule 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees or other amounts paid by the Fund for account maintenance, sub-accounting or recordkeeping services provided directly by the Company. See About Fund Shares and Transactions – Financial Intermediary Compensation for more information generally about financial intermediary compensation and the Contract prospectus for more information regarding these payments and allocations relating to your Contract.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract. Any charges that apply to your Contract, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies that may own shares directly, are described in your Contract prospectus.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders.
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases.
Mutual funds make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. Because the Fund expects to be treated as a so-called disregarded entity for tax purposes, it is not required to and does not expect to make regular distributions to its shareholders (other than in redemption of Fund shares), but may do so in the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or its delegates).
Taxes and Your Investment
The Fund expects to be treated as a so-called disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A disregarded entity itself is not subject to U.S. federal income tax nor to any annual tax return filing requirements.
Shares of the Fund are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes allocations or distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts, or if the Fund does not qualify for treatment as a so-called disregarded entity
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
    
  Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Per share data          
Net asset value, beginning of period $20.45 $16.39 $15.12 $14.90 $12.87
Income from investment operations:          
Net investment income 0.36 0.38 0.31 0.29 0.24
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.03) 3.68 0.96 (0.07) 1.79
Total from investment operations (0.67) 4.06 1.27 0.22 2.03
Net asset value, end of period $19.78 $20.45 $16.39 $15.12 $14.90
Total return (3.28)% 24.77% 8.40% 1.48% 15.77%
Ratios to average net assets          
Total gross expenses (a) 0.44% 0.45% 0.45% 0.44% 0.45%
Total net expenses (a), (b) 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.40%
Net investment income 1.67% 2.08% 2.01% 1.89% 1.77%
Supplemental data          
Portfolio turnover 73% 66% 76% 78% 75%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $178,338 $211,730 $191,013 $199,667 $221,714
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Fund is generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
S-6347-99 AR (05/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund

  
The Fund may offer Class 1 and Class 2 shares to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and other qualified institutional investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Fund.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Table of Contents

3

3

3

3

4

8

9

9

10

10

11

11

11

12

18

22

24

25

26

26

26

27

29

33

33

33

35
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through current income and, secondarily, through capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.60% 0.60%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.17% 0.17%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.77% 1.02%
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 79 $246 $428 $ 954
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $104 $325 $563 $1,248
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 64% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in fixed income securities of emerging markets issuers. For these purposes, emerging market countries are generally those either defined by World Bank-defined per capita income brackets or determined to be an emerging market based on the Fund investment team’s qualitative judgments about a country’s level of economic and institutional development, among other factors. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in fixed income securities of issuers that are located in emerging markets countries, or that earn 50% or more of their total revenues
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
from goods or services produced in emerging markets countries or from sales made in emerging markets countries.
Fixed income securities may be denominated in either U.S. dollars or the local currency of the issuer. While the Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of foreign governmental and corporate entities located in the same country, it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single issuer. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas. The Fund can invest in emerging market sovereign debt instruments of any credit quality, including those rated investment grade and below investment grade or considered to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). Although the emerging markets sovereign debt universe largely consists of investment grade instruments, a significant portion of that universe is rated in these lower rating categories. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in debt securities that are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) for hedging and investment purposes.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Emerging Market Securities Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , Interest Rate Risk, Credit Risk , and High-Yield Investments Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated,
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than traditional emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to the risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. Increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist and similar measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2016 6.01%
Worst

2nd Quarter 2013 -7.07%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 1 04/30/2012 -7.04% 3.13% 2.81%
Class 2 04/30/2012 -7.38% 2.84% 2.56%
JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index-Global (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.61% 4.18% 3.69%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tim Jagger   Head of Emerging Market Debt and Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   March 2019
Christopher Cooke   Deputy Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2017
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through current income and, secondarily, through capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in fixed income securities of emerging markets issuers. For these purposes, emerging market countries are generally those either defined by World Bank-defined per capita income brackets or determined to be an emerging market based on the Fund investment team’s qualitative judgments about a country’s level of economic and institutional development, among other factors. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in fixed income securities of issuers that are located in emerging markets countries, or that earn 50% or more of their total revenues from goods or services produced in emerging markets countries or from sales made in emerging markets countries.
Fixed income securities may be denominated in either U.S. dollars or the local currency of the issuer. While the Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of foreign governmental and corporate entities located in the same country, it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single issuer. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas. The Fund can invest in emerging market sovereign debt instruments of any credit quality, including those rated investment grade and below investment grade or considered to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). Although the emerging markets sovereign debt universe largely consists of investment grade instruments, a significant portion of that universe is rated in these lower rating categories. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in debt securities that are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. A bond is issued with a specific maturity date, which is the date when the issuer must pay back the bond’s principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond’s maturity, the more price risk the Fund and the Fund’s investors face as interest rates rise, but the Fund could receive a higher yield in return for that longer maturity and higher interest rate risk.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) for hedging and investment purposes.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) chooses investments by:
Analyzing the creditworthiness of emerging market countries;
Seeking to evaluate the best relative value opportunities among emerging market countries, by comparing sovereign debt spreads to fundamental creditworthiness and comparing the recent sovereign debt spread relationships among countries to historic relationships; and
Seeking to identify emerging markets bonds that can take advantage of attractive local interest rates and provide exposure to undervalued currencies.
In evaluating whether to sell a security, the Investment Manager considers, among other factors, whether in its view:
The security is overvalued;
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
The security has new credit risks; or
The security continues to meet the standards described above.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Emerging Market Securities Risk , Foreign Securities Risk , Interest Rate Risk, Credit Risk , and High-Yield Investments Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments may decline if the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated instruments. Non-investment grade debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated instruments, or if the ratings of instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). The effectiveness of any currency strategy by a Fund may be reduced by the Fund's inability to precisely match forward contract amounts and the value of securities involved. Forward foreign currency contracts used for hedging may also limit any potential gain that might result from an increase or decrease in the value of the currency.
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
  Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
  otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than typical emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. The increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in frontier market countries are even more likely than emerging markets securities to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk .
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debtholders. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral.
The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedleus.com) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Class 1 0.77%
Class 2 1.02%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Investment Manager and its investment advisory affiliates (Participating Affiliates) around the world may coordinate in providing services to their clients. From time to time, the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Fund, as the case may be) may engage its Participating Affiliates to provide a variety of services such as investment research, investment monitoring, trading, and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management) to certain accounts managed by the Investment Manager, including the Fund. These Participating Affiliates will provide services to the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Fund, as the case may be) either pursuant to subadvisory agreements, personnel-sharing agreements or similar inter-company arrangements and the Fund will pay no additional fees and expenses as a result of any such arrangements. These Participating Affiliates, like the Investment Manager, are direct or indirect subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial and are registered with the appropriate respective regulators in their home jurisdictions and, where required, the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the United States.
Pursuant to some of these arrangements, certain employees of these Participating Affiliates may serve as “associated persons” of the Investment Manager and, in this capacity, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Investment Manager and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, may provide such services to the Fund on behalf of the Investment Manager.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to 0.600% of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Tim Jagger   Head of Emerging Market Debt and Senior Portfolio Manager   Lead Portfolio Manager   March 2019
Christopher Cooke   Deputy Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   2017
Mr. Jagger joined Threadneedle, a Participating Affiliate, in 2017 as a Director in Threadneedle's Singapore office and was elevated to his current role as Head of Emerging Market Debt in Threadneedle's London office in 2018. Prior to joining Threadneedle, Mr. Jagger was a Senior Portfolio Manager, Asian Credit, and the lead manager for Asian High Yield funds at Aviva Investors from 2012 through 2016. Mr. Jagger began his investment career in 1992 and earned a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland).
Mr. Cooke joined Threadneedle, a Participating Affiliate, in 2008. Prior to becoming Deputy Portfolio Manager in 2017, Mr. Cooke served as a portfolio analyst since 2013 and, prior to that, served as a graduate trainee and business analyst. Mr. Cooke began his investment career in 2008 and earned a BSc in computer science and artificial intelligence from the Aberystwyth University (Wales).
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1 and Class 2 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor.
Investment Limits none none
Conversion Features none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract, qualified pension or retirement plan sponsors or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide shareholder services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Shareholder Information
Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. Your product may not offer every share class. The Fund encourages you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions and for more information about the share classes offered by the Fund and available under your product. Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts and Qualified Plan sponsors.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners or participants in a Qualified Plan. When you sell your shares through your Contract or Qualified Plan, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract, participant in a Qualified Plan or qualified institutional investor who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or Qualified Plan or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts or the Qualified Plan.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase only through Contracts offered by participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners, and the interests of Qualified Plan participants, if any, may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract or Qualified Plan. Any charges that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans that may own shares directly, are described in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract or Qualified Plan. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, as applicable, for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
30 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
32 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases. While a fund continues to hold an investment, any gain is generally unrealized. If the fund sells an investment, it generally will realize a capital gain if it sells that investment for a higher price than its adjusted cost basis, and will generally realize a capital loss if it sells that investment for a lower price than its adjusted cost basis. Capital gains and losses are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund holds the securities for one year or less (short-term) or more than one year (long-term).
Mutual funds make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's distributed income, including capital gains. Reinvesting your distributions buys you more shares of a fund which lets you take advantage of the potential for compound growth. Putting the money you earn back into your investment means it, in turn, may earn even more money (or be exposed to additional losses, if the fund earns a negative return). Over time, the power of compounding has the potential to significantly increase the value of your investment. There is no assurance, however, that you'll earn more money if you reinvest your distributions rather than receive them in cash.
The Fund intends to pay out, in the form of distributions to shareholders, a sufficient amount of its income and gains so that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and generally will not have to pay any federal excise tax. The Fund generally intends to distribute any net realized capital gain (whether long-term or short-term gain) at least once a year. Normally, the Fund will declare and pay distributions of net investment income according to the following schedule:
    
Declaration and Distribution Schedule
Declarations Quarterly
Distributions Quarterly
The Fund may declare or pay distributions of net investment income more frequently.
Different share classes of the Fund usually pay different net investment income distribution amounts, because each class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the NAV per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution.
The Fund will automatically reinvest distributions in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund unless you inform us you want to receive your distributions to be paid in cash.
Taxes and Your Investment
The Fund intends to qualify and to be eligible for treatment each year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in fund-level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you.
Shares of the Fund are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Prospectus 2019 33

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts.
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
34 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 35

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.15 0.53 (1.23) (0.70) (0.44) (0.44)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.50 0.59 0.52 1.11 (0.46) (0.46)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.77 0.55 0.43 0.98 (0.25) (0.25)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.01 0.52 (0.61) (0.09) (0.15) (0.15)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.41 0.57 (0.39) 0.18 (0.53) (0.05) (0.58)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $10.15 0.51 (1.25) (0.74) (0.41) (0.41)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $9.49 0.57 0.52 1.09 (0.43) (0.43)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $8.76 0.53 0.43 0.96 (0.23) (0.23)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $9.02 0.49 (0.60) (0.11) (0.15) (0.15)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.43 0.55 (0.40) 0.15 (0.51) (0.05) (0.56)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interest on collateral expense which is less than 0.01%.
36 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.01 (7.04%) 0.76% (c) 0.76% (c) 5.53% 64% $103,590
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.15 11.85% 0.75% 0.75% 5.88% 42% $110,275
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.50 11.34% 0.75% 0.75% 5.92% 26% $98,824
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.77 (1.03%) 0.75% 0.75% 5.77% 64% $87,659
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.01 1.81% 0.71% 0.71% 5.93% 30% $184,984
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $9.00 (7.38%) 1.02% (c) 1.02% (c) 5.32% 64% $121,570
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $10.15 11.69% 1.01% 1.01% 5.70% 42% $94,637
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $9.49 11.07% 1.01% 1.01% 5.63% 26% $40,731
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $8.76 (1.31%) 1.01% 1.01% 5.49% 64% $16,653
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $9.02 1.44% 0.96% 0.96% 5.75% 30% $11,708
  
Prospectus 2019 37

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents

  
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Fund is generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies and participants in Qualified Plans. Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
S-6536-99 AR (05/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund

  
The Fund may offer Class 1 and Class 2 shares to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and other qualified institutional investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Fund.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Table of Contents

3

3

3

4

4

6

7

7

7

7

8

8

8

8

12

16

18

19

20

20

20

21

23

27

27

27

29
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.74% 0.74%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.01% 0.01%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.75% 1.00%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (a) (0.06%) (0.06%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.69% 0.94%
(a) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.69% for Class 1 and 0.94% for Class 2.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $70 $234 $411 $ 925
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $96 $312 $547 $1,219
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 58% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies that have market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, in the range of companies in the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $2.5 billion to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund normally invests in common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and rights and may invest in exchange-traded funds. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 45 and 65 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as options, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, including, for example, to seek to enhance returns or as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
New Fund Risk. Investors in newly formed funds bear the risk that the fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and are subject to liquidity risk which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares below the current market price. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
Performance Information
The Fund has not had a full calendar year of operations as of the date of this prospectus and therefore performance information is not available.
When available, the Fund intends to compare its performance to the performance of the S&P 500 Index.
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
When available, updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Peter Santoro, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Melda Mergen, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager, Managing Director and Deputy Global Head of Equities   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies that have market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, in the range of companies in the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $2.5 billion to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a security even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund normally invests in common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and rights and may invest in exchange-traded funds. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 45 and 65 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as options, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, including, for example, to seek to enhance returns or as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset.
In selecting investments, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) employs fundamental analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing the Fund’s portfolio. The Investment Manager considers, among other factors:
overall economic and market conditions; and
the financial condition and management of a company, including its competitive position, the quality of its balance sheet and earnings, its future prospects, and the potential for growth and stock price appreciation.
The Investment Manager may sell a security when the security’s price reaches a target set by the Investment Manager; if the Investment Manager believes that there is deterioration in the issuer’s financial circumstances or fundamental prospects; if other investments are more attractive; or for other reasons.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Issuer Risk , Market Risk , and Focused Portfolio Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option,
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Focused Portfolio Risk. The Fund, because it may invest in a limited number of companies, may have more volatility in its NAV and is considered to have more risk than a fund that invests in a greater number of companies because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund’s NAV. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in fewer securities, the Fund is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
New Fund Risk. Investors in newly formed funds bear the risk that the fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants may be acquired separately or in connection with the acquisition of securities. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and subject the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price), which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares below the current market price. Rights are typically short-term instruments that are valued separately and trade in the secondary market during a subscription (or offering) period. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral.
The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedleus.com) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Class 1 0.69%
Class 2 0.94%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and the Columbia Funds have applied to amend this order. If issued, the updated order would permit the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint for the Fund not only unaffiliated subadvisers but also affiliated subadvisers without first obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund. The fee is paid monthly, as follows:
    
Annual Management Fee, as a % of Average Daily Net Assets:
Up to $500 million 0.770%
$500 million to $1 billion 0.720%
$1 billion to $1.5 billion 0.670%
$1.5 billion to $3 billion 0.620%
$3 billion to $6 billion 0.600%
$6 billion to $12 billion 0.580%
Over $12 billion 0.570%
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approving the adoption of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Peter Santoro, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Melda Mergen, CFA, CAIA   Senior Portfolio Manager, Managing Director and Deputy Global Head of Equities   Co-Portfolio Manager   2018
Mr. Santoro joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2003. Mr. Santoro began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.A. from Amherst College.
Ms. Mergen joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1999. Ms. Mergen began her investment career in 1999 and earned a B.A. from Bogazici University and an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1 and Class 2 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor.
Investment Limits none none
Conversion Features none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract, qualified pension or retirement plan sponsors or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide Shareholder Services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Shareholder Information
Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. Your product may not offer every share class. The Fund encourages you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions and for more information about the share classes offered by the Fund and available under your product. Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts and Qualified Plan sponsors.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners or participants in a Qualified Plan. When you sell your shares through your Contract or Qualified Plan, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract, participant in a Qualified Plan or qualified institutional investor who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or Qualified Plan or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts or the Qualified Plan.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase only through Contracts offered by participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners, and the interests of Qualified Plan participants, if any, may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract or Qualified Plan. Any charges that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans that may own shares directly, are described in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract or Qualified Plan. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, as applicable, for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases.
Mutual funds treated as regulated investment companies for tax purposes are required to make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund.
In the case of the Fund, because the Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, it is not required to and does not expect to make regular distributions to its shareholders (other than in redemption of Fund shares), but may do so in the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or its delegates).
Taxes and Your Investment
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Fund were not to qualify for such treatment, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the Fund level, which would reduce the value of an investment in the Fund.
As a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership,” the Fund is generally not itself subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, each shareholder will be required to take into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of the Fund’s income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and other tax items, without regard to whether such shareholder has received or will receive corresponding distributions from the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes allocations or distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts, or if the Fund does not qualify for treatment as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership.”
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 (c) $10.00 0.13 (0.84) (0.71)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 (c) $10.00 0.09 (0.82) (0.73)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) The Fund commenced operations on January 4, 2018. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(d) Annualized.
30 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 (c) $9.29 (7.10%) 0.75% (d) 0.69% (d) 1.27% (d) 58% $1,070,480
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 (c) $9.27 (7.30%) 0.97% (d) 0.94% (d) 0.84% (d) 58% $2
  
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Fund is generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies and participants in Qualified Plans. Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
C-2035-99 AR (5/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund

  
The Fund may offer Class 1 and Class 2 shares to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and other qualified institutional investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Fund.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Table of Contents

3

3

3

4

4

7

7

8

8

8

9

9

9

10

13

17

19

20

21

21

21

22

24

28

28

28

31
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Summary of the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.91% 0.91%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses (a) 0.30% 0.30%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (b) 1.21% 1.46%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (c) (0.27%) (0.27%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.94% 1.19%
(a) Other expenses have been restated to reflect current fees paid by the Fund.
(b) "Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
(c) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.94% for Class 1 and 1.19% for Class 2.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 96 $357 $639 $1,442
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $121 $435 $772 $1,723
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 44% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund generally invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies with business operations in technology and technology-related industries. For these purposes, technology-related companies are those companies that use technology extensively to improve their business processes and applications. The technology industry comprises information technology and communications, as well as medical, environmental and biotechnology. The Fund may invest in securities of companies domiciled in any country believed to be appropriate to the Fund’s objective. The Fund generally invests in several countries in different geographic regions.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally invests at least 40% of its net assets in companies that maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S.
The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that may result in the Fund investing less than 30% of its net assets in companies outside the U.S. in an effort to minimize extreme volatility caused by adverse market, economic, political or other conditions.
The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size. Securities of large capitalization companies that are well established in the world technology market can be expected to grow with the market and are frequently held by the Fund. However, rapidly changing technologies and expansion of technology and technology-related industries often provide a favorable environment for companies of small-to-medium size capitalization, and the Fund may invest in these companies as well.
The Fund may invest in all types of securities, many of which will be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Fund normally concentrates its investments in common stocks; however, it may invest in other types of equity securities, including securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, depositary receipts, and rights and warrants to purchase common stock. The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its assets in preferred stock and investment-grade or comparable quality debt securities.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Sector Risk , Foreign Securities Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants,
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance.
Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2009 21.18%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -15.52%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class 1 05/01/1996 -8.15% 15.40% 17.18%
Class 2 05/01/2000 -8.45% 15.10% 16.87%
MSCI World Information Technology Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -2.60% 12.78% 15.89%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Paul Wick   Lead Portfolio Manager   2006
Shekhar Pramanick   Portfolio Manager   2014
Sanjay Devgan   Technology Team Member   2014
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Portfolio Manager   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Jeetil Patel   Technology Team Member   2015
Christopher Boova   Technology Team Member   2016
Vimal Patel   Technology Team Member   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders, which are generally the participating insurance companies and Qualified Plans investing in the Fund through separate accounts. These distributions may not be taxable to you as the holder of a Contract or a participant in a Qualified Plan. Please consult the prospectus or other information provided to you by your participating insurance company and/or Qualified Plan regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your contract, policy and/or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation. Only shareholders can change the Fund’s investment objective. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund generally invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies with business operations in technology and technology-related industries. For these purposes, technology-related companies are those companies that use technology extensively to improve their business processes and applications. The technology industry comprises information technology and communications, as well as medical, environmental and biotechnology. The Fund may invest in securities of companies domiciled in any country believed to be appropriate to the Fund’s objective. The Fund generally invests in several countries in different geographic regions.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally invests at least 40% of its net assets in companies that maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S.
The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that may result in the Fund investing less than 30% of its net assets in companies outside the U.S. in an effort to minimize extreme volatility caused by adverse market, economic, political or other conditions.
The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size. Securities of large capitalization companies that are well established in the world technology market can be expected to grow with the market and are frequently held by the Fund. However, rapidly changing technologies and expansion of technology and technology-related industries often provide a favorable environment for companies of small-to-medium size capitalization, and the Fund may invest in these companies as well.
The Fund may invest in all types of securities, many of which will be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Fund normally concentrates its investments in common stocks; however, it may invest in other types of equity securities, including securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, depositary receipts, and rights and warrants to purchase common stock. The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its assets in preferred stock and investment-grade or comparable quality debt securities.
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) seeks to identify those technology companies that it believes have the greatest prospects for future growth, regardless of their countries of origin. The Fund uses an investment style that combines research into individual company attractiveness with macro analysis. This means that the Investment Manager uses extensive in-depth research to identify attractive technology companies around the world, while seeking to identify particularly strong technology sectors and/or factors within regions or specific countries that may affect investment opportunities.
In selecting individual securities, the Investment Manager looks for companies that it believes display one or more of the following:
Above-average growth prospects;
High profit margins;
Attractive valuations relative to earnings forecasts or other valuation criteria (e.g., return on equity);
Quality management and equity ownership by executives;
Unique competitive advantages (e.g., market share, proprietary products); or
Potential for improvement in overall operations.
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
In evaluating whether to sell a security, the Investment Manager considers, among other factors, whether in its view:
Its target price has been reached;
Its earnings are disappointing;
Its revenue growth has slowed;
Its underlying fundamentals have deteriorated; or
If the Investment Manager believes that negative country or regional factors may affect a company’s outlook.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Sector Risk , Foreign Securities Risk and Market Risk . Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors, including the technology and technology-related sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries on a fully collateralized basis in order to earn additional income. The Fund may lose money from securities lending if, for example, it is delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral after the loan is made or recovering the securities loaned or if it incurs losses on the reinvestment of cash collateral.
The Fund currently does not participate in the securities lending program but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may determine to renew participation in the future. For more information on lending of portfolio securities and the risks involved, see the SAI and the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedleus.com) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, may vary by share class and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. Generally, these expenses are allocated on a pro rata basis across all share classes. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Seligman Global Technology Fund
Class 1 0.94%
Class 2 1.19%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investment in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates and any predecessor firms that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to 0.914% of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Portfolio Manager   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Paul Wick   Lead Portfolio Manager   2006
Shekhar Pramanick   Portfolio Manager   2014
Sanjay Devgan   Technology Team Member   2014
Jeetil Patel   Technology Team Member   2015
Christopher Boova   Technology Team Member   2016
Vimal Patel   Technology Team Member   2018
Mr. Wick joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1987. Mr. Wick is Team Leader and Portfolio Manager for Technology. Mr. Wick began his investment career in 1987 and earned a B.A. from Duke and an M.B.A. from Duke/Fuqua.
Dr. Pramanick joined the Investment Manager in 2012. Dr. Pramanick began his investment career in 1993 and earned a B.S. from the National Institute of Technology, an M.S. from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University.
Mr. Devgan joined the Investment Manager in 2012. Mr. Devgan began his investment career in 1995 and earned a B.S. from University of California and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.
Mr. Patel joined the Investment Manager in 2012. Mr. Patel began his investment career in 1998 and earned a B.A. from University of California, Los Angeles.
Mr. Boova joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2000. Mr. Boova began his investment career in 1995 and earned two B.S. degrees from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, an M.A. from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Mr. Patel joined the Investment Manager in 2014. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Patel was Vice President at Bertram Capital covering technology and business services from 2010 to 2014. Mr. Patel began his investment career in 2001 and earned a B.S. from North Carolina State University, an M.S. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.B.A. from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
More Information About the Fund (continued)
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1 and Class 2 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor.
Investment Limits none none
Conversion Features none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract, qualified pension or retirement plan sponsors or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide shareholder services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share for a given share class. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time.
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Shareholder Information
Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. Your product may not offer every share class. The Fund encourages you to consult with a financial advisor who can help you with your investment decisions and for more information about the share classes offered by the Fund and available under your product. Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts and Qualified Plan sponsors.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners or participants in a Qualified Plan. When you sell your shares through your Contract or Qualified Plan, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract, participant in a Qualified Plan or qualified institutional investor who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or Qualified Plan or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts or the Qualified Plan.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase only through Contracts offered by participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners, and the interests of Qualified Plan participants, if any, may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract or Qualified Plan. Any charges that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans that may own shares directly, are described in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract or Qualified Plan. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, as applicable, for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases. While a fund continues to hold an investment, any gain is generally unrealized. If the fund sells an investment, it generally will realize a capital gain if it sells that investment for a higher price than its adjusted cost basis, and will generally realize a capital loss if it sells that investment for a lower price than its adjusted cost basis. Capital gains and losses are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund holds the securities for one year or less (short-term) or more than one year (long-term).
Mutual funds make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's distributed income, including capital gains. Reinvesting your distributions buys you more shares of a fund which lets you take advantage of the potential for compound growth. Putting the money you earn back into your investment means it, in turn, may earn even more money (or be exposed to additional losses, if the fund earns a negative return). Over time, the power of compounding has the potential to significantly increase the value of your investment. There is no assurance, however, that you'll earn more money if you reinvest your distributions rather than receive them in cash.
The Fund intends to pay out, in the form of distributions to shareholders, a sufficient amount of its income and gains so that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and generally will not have to pay any federal excise tax. The Fund generally intends to distribute any net realized capital gain (whether long-term or short-term gain) at least once a year. Normally, the Fund will declare and pay distributions of net investment income according to the following schedule:
    
Declaration and Distribution Schedule
Declarations Annually
Distributions Annually
The Fund may declare or pay distributions of net investment income more frequently.
Different share classes of the Fund usually pay different net investment income distribution amounts, because each class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the NAV per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution.
The Fund will automatically reinvest distributions in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund unless you inform us you want to receive your distributions to be paid in cash.
Taxes and Your Investment
The Fund intends to qualify and to be eligible for treatment each year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in fund-level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you.
Shares of the Fund are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, Qualified Plans, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts.
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)

    
  Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $21.56 0.01 (1.47) (1.46) (2.32) (2.32)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.67 (0.03) 6.79 6.76 (6.87) (6.87)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $27.97 (0.04) 3.55 3.51 (9.81) (9.81)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $29.99 (0.01) 3.00 2.99 (5.01) (5.01)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $26.01 (0.07) 6.42 6.35 (2.37) (2.37)
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $19.99 (0.04) (1.35) (1.39) (2.27) (2.27)
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $20.50 (0.08) 6.38 6.30 (6.81) (6.81)
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $26.98 (0.12) 3.38 3.26 (9.74) (9.74)
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $29.10 (0.08) 2.91 2.83 (4.95) (4.95)
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $25.31 (0.14) 6.25 6.11 (2.32) (2.32)
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c) Ratios include interfund lending expense which is less than 0.01%.
(d) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
32 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Financial Highlights (continued)
  Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets (a), (b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000's)
Class 1
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $17.78 (8.15%) 1.09% (c), (d) 1.03% (c), (d) 0.05% 44% $32,129
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $21.56 35.21% 1.15% (d) 1.02% (d) (0.16%) 60% $38,879
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $21.67 19.35% 1.26% 0.98% (0.17%) 62% $31,083
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $27.97 10.11% 1.20% 0.98% (0.05%) 65% $28,698
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $29.99 25.43% 1.21% 1.00% (0.27%) 87% $29,004
Class 2
Year Ended 12/31/2018 $16.33 (8.45%) 1.33% (c), (d) 1.28% (c), (d) (0.22%) 44% $33,975
Year Ended 12/31/2017 $19.99 34.92% 1.40% (d) 1.27% (d) (0.39%) 60% $46,688
Year Ended 12/31/2016 $20.50 19.01% 1.47% 1.23% (0.49%) 62% $27,838
Year Ended 12/31/2015 $26.98 9.81% 1.45% 1.23% (0.30%) 65% $83,566
Year Ended 12/31/2014 $29.10 25.12% 1.45% 1.25% (0.52%) 87% $92,264
  
Prospectus 2019 33

 

Table of Contents
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents

  
[This page intentionally left blank]

 

Table of Contents
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Fund is generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies and participants in Qualified Plans. Please refer to your Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
The Fund’s offering documents and shareholder reports are not available on the Columbia Funds’ website because they are generally available only through participating insurance companies or retirement plans.
The website references in this prospectus are inactive links and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the referenced websites does not form a part of this prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-22127.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
SL-9916-99 AR (05/19)


Table of Contents
Prospectus
May 1, 2019
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund

  
Each above named Fund offers Class 1 and Class 2 shares to separate accounts consisting of subaccounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated life insurance companies authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Funds.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Variable Portfolio Funds
Table of Contents
SUMMARIES OF THE FUNDS
Investment Objective, Fees and Expenses of the Fund, Principal Investment Strategies, Principal Risks, Performance Information, Fund Management, Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Tax Information, Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
 

4

17

30

43

56

69

82

94

106

118

133

146

161

176

191

206

219

232

245

245

249

252

253

254

254

254

255

257

262

262

262

264

265

266

267

268

269

270

271

272
2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Table of Contents (continued)

A-1

B-1
Prospectus 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.13% 0.13%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses (a) 0.24% 0.24%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.55% 0.55%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (b) 0.92% 1.17%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (c) (0.07%) (0.07%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.85% 1.10%
(a) Other expenses have been restated to reflect current fees paid by the Fund.
(b) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
(c) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.85% for Class 1 and 1.10% for Class 2.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 87 $286 $502 $1,125
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $112 $365 $637 $1,414
4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 47% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that can vary based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical market volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past) and, under certain circumstances, anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 55% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019, the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 54.84% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 55% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
Prospectus 2019 5

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past, and under certain circumstances, on anticipated volatility, which can be an indicator of how equity markets perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 35% Russell 3000 Index and 15% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 75% to 95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 5% to 25% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Prospectus 2019 7

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to
Prospectus 2019 9

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and
Prospectus 2019 11

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Prospectus 2019 13

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains.
14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund’s performance given its investment strategy, as well as three additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2018 2.80%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -7.61%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year Life of Fund
Class 2 09/12/2017 -5.29% -1.23%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 35% Russell 3000 Index and 15% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -3.71% -0.31%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 0.08%
Russell 3000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -5.24% 1.64%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -13.79% -7.62%
  
Prospectus 2019 15

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2017
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2017
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2017
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.13% 0.13%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses (a) 0.31% 0.31%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.52% 0.52%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (b) 0.96% 1.21%
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (c) (0.11%) (0.11%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 0.85% 1.10%
(a) Other expenses have been restated to reflect current fees paid by the Fund.
(b) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
(c) Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.85% for Class 1 and 1.10% for Class 2.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 87 $295 $520 $1,168
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $112 $373 $654 $1,456
Prospectus 2019 17

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 45% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that can vary based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical market volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past) and, under certain circumstances, anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 55% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019, the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 54.79% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 55% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the
18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past, and under certain circumstances, on anticipated volatility, which can be an indicator of how equity markets perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 50% S&P 500 Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 75% to 95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Prospectus 2019 19

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 5% to 25% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 21

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to
22 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment
Prospectus 2019 23

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
24 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the
Prospectus 2019 25

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than
26 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund’s performance given its investment strategy, as well as two additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Prospectus 2019 27

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 3rd Quarter 2018 3.99%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -7.68%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year Life of Fund
Class 2 09/12/2017 -3.53% 0.77%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 50% S&P 500 Index) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -1.90% 1.45%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 0.08%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 2.29%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2017
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2017
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2017
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by
28 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 29

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.23% 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.09% 0.09%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.40% 0.40%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.72% 0.97%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $74 $230 $401 $ 894
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $99 $309 $536 $1,190
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 119% of the average value of its portfolio.
30 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 30% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 22.85% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 23% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 23% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 23% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 30% while maintaining a 23% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Prospectus 2019 31

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 80% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% Russell 3000 Index and 6% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
32 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Prospectus 2019 33

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
34 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity
Prospectus 2019 35

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
(i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market
36 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Prospectus 2019 37

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund
38 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject
Prospectus 2019 39

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the
40 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as one additional measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2014 2.24%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -2.50%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 04/12/2013 -2.58% 2.26% 2.21%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 80% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% Russell 3000 Index and 6% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -1.43% 3.26% 3.05%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 1.72%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Prospectus 2019 41

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
42 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.22% 0.22%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.45% 0.45%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.74% 0.99%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 76 $237 $411 $ 918
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $101 $315 $547 $1,213
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 101% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 43

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 50% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 39.65% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 40% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 40% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 40% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 50% while maintaining a 40% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
44 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 65% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 24% Russell 3000 Index and 11% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Prospectus 2019 45

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
46 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
Prospectus 2019 47

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity
48 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
(i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market
Prospectus 2019 49

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
50 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund
Prospectus 2019 51

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject
52 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the
Prospectus 2019 53

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as one additional measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 1st Quarter 2017 2.98%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -5.22%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 04/12/2013 -4.30% 2.44% 2.92%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 65% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 24% Russell 3000 Index and 11% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -2.60% 3.74% 3.98%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 1.72%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
54 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 55

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.18% 0.18%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.06% 0.06%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.54% 0.54%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.78% 1.03%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 80 $249 $433 $ 966
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $105 $328 $569 $1,259
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 74% of the average value of its portfolio.
56 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 90% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 72.92% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 75% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 75% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 75% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 90% while maintaining a 75% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Prospectus 2019 57

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 46% Russell 3000 Index, 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 19% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
58 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Prospectus 2019 59

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
60 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity
Prospectus 2019 61

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
(i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market
62 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Prospectus 2019 63

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund
64 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject
Prospectus 2019 65

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the
66 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as one additional measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2017 4.74%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -10.60%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 04/12/2013 -7.73% 2.57% 4.19%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 46% Russell 3000 Index, 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 19% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.85% 4.78% 5.93%
Russell 3000 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -5.24% 7.91% 10.19%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Prospectus 2019 67

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
68 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.17% 0.17%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.50% 0.50%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.74% 0.99%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 76 $237 $411 $ 918
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $101 $315 $547 $1,213
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 92% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2019 69

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 70% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 56.12% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 70% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
70 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 35% Russell 3000 Index and 15% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Prospectus 2019 71

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
72 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
Prospectus 2019 73

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity
74 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
(i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market
Prospectus 2019 75

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
76 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund
Prospectus 2019 77

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject
78 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the
Prospectus 2019 79

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as one additional measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2013 4.82%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -7.93%
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
Class 2 04/19/2012 -5.85% 2.62% 4.42%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 35% Russell 3000 Index and 15% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes on the MSCI EAFE Index portion of the Blended Benchmark, and for all indexes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -3.71% 4.27% 5.85%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 2.52% 2.00%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2014
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2015
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
80 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 81

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.23% 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses (a) 0.18% 0.18%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.39% 0.39%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (b) 0.80% 1.05%
(a) Other expenses have been restated to reflect current fees paid by the Fund.
(b) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $ 82 $255 $444 $ 990
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $107 $334 $579 $1,283
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 51% of the average value of its portfolio.
82 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in recent past), to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 50% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 34.75% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 40% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 40% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 40% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 50% while maintaining a 40% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Prospectus 2019 83

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 65% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 35% S&P 500 Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
84 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Prospectus 2019 85

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
86 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions
Prospectus 2019 87

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
88 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that
Prospectus 2019 89

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime
90 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the
Prospectus 2019 91

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all three funds in the U.S. Flexible series, with the Conservative Growth Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the U.S. Flexible Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as two additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2017 3.31%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -4.94%
92 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year Life of Fund
Class 2 11/02/2016 -2.49% 4.38%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 65% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 35% S&P 500 Index) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -1.26% 4.21%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 0.53%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 10.81%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2016
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 93

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.23% 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.41% 0.41%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.71% 0.96%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $73 $227 $395 $ 883
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $98 $306 $531 $1,178
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 44% of the average value of its portfolio.
94 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in recent past), to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 90% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 64.32% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 75% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 75% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 75% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 90% while maintaining a 75% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Prospectus 2019 95

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 65% S&P 500 Index and 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
96 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Prospectus 2019 97

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
98 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions
Prospectus 2019 99

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
100 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that
Prospectus 2019 101

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime
102 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the
Prospectus 2019 103

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all three funds in the U.S. Flexible series, with the Conservative Growth Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the U.S. Flexible Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as two additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2017 5.78%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -9.59%
104 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year Life of Fund
Class 2 11/02/2016 -3.92% 7.87%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 65% S&P 500 Index and 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -2.58% 7.29%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 10.81%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 0.53%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2016
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 105

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract, which are disclosed in your Contract prospectus. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class 1 Class 2
Management fees 0.23% 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 0.25%
Other expenses 0.08% 0.08%
Acquired fund fees and expenses 0.40% 0.40%
Total annual Fund operating expenses (a) 0.71% 0.96%
(a) “Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus for Class 2 because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
    
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $73 $227 $395 $ 883
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $98 $306 $531 $1,178
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund and underlying funds (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when they buy and sell securities (or “turn over” their portfolios). The Fund will indirectly bear the expenses associated with portfolio turnover of the underlying funds. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 42% of the average value of its portfolio.
106 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in recent past), to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 70% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 49.50% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 70% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Prospectus 2019 107

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% S&P 500 Index and 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
108 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Appendix A includes the list of the Underlying Funds available to the Fund, as well as a description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. Columbia Management may add new or remove existing Underlying Funds at any time without the approval of shareholders. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Prospectus 2019 109

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s
110 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions
Prospectus 2019 111

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objective. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
112 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that
Prospectus 2019 113

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime
114 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the
Prospectus 2019 115

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all three funds in the U.S. Flexible series, with the Conservative Growth Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the U.S. Flexible Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a blended benchmark that is intended to provide a measure of the Fund's performance given its investment strategy, as well as two additional measures of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.
Any share class, such as Class 1 shares, that does not have available performance would have annual returns substantially similar to those of Class 2 shares. Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and would be lower if they did.
The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
    
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 4th Quarter 2017 4.63%
Worst

4th Quarter 2018 -7.25%
116 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Summary of Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year Life of Fund
Class 2 11/02/2016 -3.23% 6.16%
Blended Benchmark (consisting of 50% S&P 500 Index and 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.
S. Aggregate Bond Index) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)
  -1.90% 5.76%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   0.01% 0.53%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   -4.38% 10.81%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Managed Fund Since
Brian Virginia   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments   Lead Portfolio Manager   2016
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D.   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy   Portfolio Manager   2016
David Weiss, CFA   Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management   Portfolio Manager   2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA   Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation   Portfolio Manager   2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts. If you are a Contract holder, please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Prospectus 2019 117

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that can vary based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical market volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past) and, under certain circumstances, anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 55% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019, the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 54.84% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 55% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
118 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past, and under certain circumstances, on anticipated volatility, which can be an indicator of how equity markets perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 35% Russell 3000 Index and 15% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 75% to 95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Prospectus 2019 119

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 5% to 25% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
120 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund**, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio– Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio– High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio– Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
**Effective May 20, 2019, CTIVP ® - William Blair International Leaders Fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Prospectus 2019 121

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that
122 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract
Prospectus 2019 123

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices
124 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
  that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the
Prospectus 2019 125

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By
126 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not
Prospectus 2019 127

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity.
128 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the
Prospectus 2019 129

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage
130 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debt-holders.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the
Prospectus 2019 131

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund (continued)
protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains.
132 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that can vary based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical market volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past) and, under certain circumstances, anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 55% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019, the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 54.79% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 55% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
Prospectus 2019 133

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past, and under certain circumstances, on anticipated volatility, which can be an indicator of how equity markets perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 50% S&P 500 Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 75% to 95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
134 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 5% to 25% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Prospectus 2019 135

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) ,Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund , CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or
136 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Prospectus 2019 137

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
138 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect
Prospectus 2019 139

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
  performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
140 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
Prospectus 2019 141

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
142 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may
Prospectus 2019 143

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have
144 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund (continued)
limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains.
Prospectus 2019 145

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 30% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 22.85% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 23% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 23% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 23% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 30% while maintaining a 23% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
146 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 80% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% Russell 3000 Index and 6% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Prospectus 2019 147

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
    
148 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund**, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio– Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio– High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio– Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
**Effective May 20, 2019, CTIVP ® - William Blair International Leaders Fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Prospectus 2019 149

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be
150 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same
Prospectus 2019 151

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a
152 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
  credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the
Prospectus 2019 153

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
154 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
Prospectus 2019 155

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
156 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities
Prospectus 2019 157

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation,
158 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debt-holders.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes
Prospectus 2019 159

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (continued)
its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
160 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 50% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 39.65% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 40% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 40% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 40% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 50% while maintaining a 40% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
Prospectus 2019 161

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 65% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 24% Russell 3000 Index and 11% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
162 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 163

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund**, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio– Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio– High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio– Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
**Effective May 20, 2019, CTIVP ® - William Blair International Leaders Fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
164 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be
Prospectus 2019 165

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same
166 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a
Prospectus 2019 167

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
  credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the
168 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
Prospectus 2019 169

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
170 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
Prospectus 2019 171

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities
172 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation,
Prospectus 2019 173

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debt-holders.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes
174 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Prospectus 2019 175

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 90% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 72.92% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 75% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 75% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 75% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 90% while maintaining a 75% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
176 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 46% Russell 3000 Index, 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 19% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Prospectus 2019 177

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
    
178 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund**, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio– Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio– High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio– Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
**Effective May 20, 2019, CTIVP ® - William Blair International Leaders Fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Prospectus 2019 179

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be
180 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same
Prospectus 2019 181

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a
182 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
  credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the
Prospectus 2019 183

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
184 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
Prospectus 2019 185

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
186 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities
Prospectus 2019 187

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation,
188 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debt-holders.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes
Prospectus 2019 189

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund (continued)
its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
190 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice.
Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating its assets across equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on anticipated volatility, to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 70% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 56.12% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 70% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
Prospectus 2019 191

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on anticipated volatility, which Columbia Management believes is an early indicator of how equity markets may perform. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 35% Russell 3000 Index and 15% MSCI EAFE Index (Net).
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend), market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap) and geographic focus (e.g., domestic and international, including emerging markets), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments,  sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and international bonds, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
192 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency futures, equity futures, index futures and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, sovereign debt, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, international bonds and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
    
Prospectus 2019 193

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund**, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio– Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio– High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio– Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
**Effective May 20, 2019, CTIVP ® - William Blair International Leaders Fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
194 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be
Prospectus 2019 195

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same
196 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a
Prospectus 2019 197

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
  credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the
198 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
Prospectus 2019 199

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
200 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
Prospectus 2019 201

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities
202 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation,
Prospectus 2019 203

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debt-holders.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes
204 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all four funds in the Managed Volatility series, with the Conservative Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Prospectus 2019 205

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice.
Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in recent past), to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 50% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 34.75% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 40% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 40% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 40% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 50% while maintaining a 40% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
206 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 65% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 35% S&P 500 Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Prospectus 2019 207

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
208 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) ,Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund , CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or
Prospectus 2019 209

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
210 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 211

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect
212 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
  performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
Prospectus 2019 213

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
214 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
Prospectus 2019 215

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may
216 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have
Prospectus 2019 217

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund (continued)
limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all three funds in the U.S. Flexible series, with the Conservative Growth Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the U.S. Flexible Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
218 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in recent past), to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 90% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 64.32% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 75% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 75% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 75% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 90% while maintaining a 75% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
Prospectus 2019 219

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 65% S&P 500 Index and 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
220 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
Prospectus 2019 221

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) ,Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund , CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or
222 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Prospectus 2019 223

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
224 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect
Prospectus 2019 225

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
  performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
226 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
Prospectus 2019 227

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
228 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may
Prospectus 2019 229

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have
230 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund (continued)
limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all three funds in the U.S. Flexible series, with the Conservative Growth Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the U.S. Flexible Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
Prospectus 2019 231

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund
Investment Objective
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (the Fund) pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) across U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes while targeting a particular level of effective equity market exposure (described below) that varies based on volatility in the equity market. The Fund's investments are deemed to be "U.S." based primarily on the issuer's place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer's domicile, the location of its principal place of business or principal office, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of a majority of its revenue or profits, or the location of a majority of its assets.  The Fund takes into consideration investments in affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and ETFs in connection with its 80% investment policy.   The Fund invests in a mix of affiliated mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and, in seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility, the Fund employs a tactical allocation strategy utilizing:
derivative transactions, including forward contracts, futures, options and swaps;
direct investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs); and
direct investments in fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Collectively, these assets are referred to as the Tactical Assets (which are described below under “Tactical Allocation”).
Effective Equity Market Exposure
The Fund’s “effective equity market exposure” (or EEME) reflects the amount of Fund assets exposed to the equity market, with such exposure fluctuating based on market volatility. The Fund’s EEME includes exposure to equity markets through the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and Tactical Assets, adjusted based on historical volatility (the actual market volatility experienced in recent past), to reflect the degree to which the Fund’s holdings are expected to move in tandem with equity markets (beta) based solely on the views of the Fund’s investment manager. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s targeted EEME may range from 0% to 70% of its net assets. Within this range, the Fund’s targeted and actual EEME is subject to change, including on a daily basis. At March 31, 2019 the Fund’s actual EEME was approximately 49.50% of its net assets.
The Fund invests in Underlying Funds focused on equity investments (Equity Underlying Funds) and Underlying Funds focused on fixed-income/debt investments (Fixed-Income Underlying Funds) to gain exposure to U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes, respectively. If the Fund invests, for example, 50% of its net assets in Equity Underlying Funds (and has no EEME through its Tactical Assets), the Fund will have 50% of its net assets exposed to the equity market and an EEME of 50% of its net assets. Using the same example, the Fund could employ its Tactical Assets to increase the Fund’s EEME to a maximum of 70% while maintaining a 50% allocation to Equity Underlying Funds. The Fund may invest significantly in any individual Underlying Fund(s).
As discussed in the above example, the Tactical Assets are primarily utilized to adjust (increase or reduce) the Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and various segments within these asset classes (i.e., the Tactical Assets are used to adjust the Fund’s EEME). Derivatives instruments may also be used to facilitate the Fund’s management of cash inflows/outflows. At times (e.g., when there are significant cash inflows or anticipated inflows), such additional derivatives use could cause the Fund’s assets to be invested outside the ranges described below for Fund investments in Tactical Assets (and, in turn, the Underlying Funds).
232 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
In general, when the Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), determines that equity market volatility is relatively low, the Investment Manager may increase the Fund’s EEME and decrease the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, if it determines that volatility in the equity market is relatively high, it may reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) the Fund’s EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure.
Investment Process
Columbia Management uses the following two-part investment process that, together, pursues total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility:
Selects and determines allocations to the Underlying Funds (referred to as the Strategic Allocation); and
Invests in and determines allocations to the Tactical Assets to adjust desired asset class exposures (referred to as the Tactical Allocation).
Columbia Management makes adjustments to the Fund’s investment exposure based on historical volatility, the actual market volatility experienced in the recent past. Volatility refers to the ups and downs in the market and can run in cycles of several months or even years.
The Fund uses an investment strategy based on a variable model derived from its blended benchmark which consists of 50% S&P 500 Index and 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
Strategic Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 40% to 90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds managed by Columbia Management, including those for which Columbia Management provides day-to-day portfolio management and those for which day-to-day portfolio management is provided by investment subadvisers hired by Columbia Management. Of the assets allocated to the Underlying Funds, the Fund may invest up to 100% of those assets in Equity Underlying Funds or Fixed-Income Underlying Funds (or some combination of the two).
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds across various sectors and industries within the U.S. equity and fixed-income/debt asset classes and markets, including Underlying Funds that invest in securities of different investment strategies and styles (e.g., growth, value and core/blend) and market capitalizations (e.g., large, mid and small cap), as well as those that invest in real estate securities and fixed-income or debt instruments, including investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures. The Fund may invest, directly and/or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest in below investment grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Underlying Fund selections and allocations are reviewed periodically by Columbia Management. Changes to Underlying Fund selections and allocations may be driven by various factors, including the risks and potential benefits of investing in a particular Underlying Fund as a means of achieving total return. During times of relatively high equity market volatility as determined by Columbia Management, Columbia Management may reduce or eliminate entirely the Fund’s allocation to Equity Underlying Funds and may alter Underlying Fund selections and allocations with more frequency in seeking to achieve desired levels of EEME.
Columbia Management also considers the independent analysis of an independent investment consultant with respect to the performance of the Underlying Funds, the types of investment categories represented by the Underlying Funds, and the consideration of additional asset classes or segments. Columbia Management retains full discretion over the Fund’s investment activities.
Prospectus 2019 233

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Tactical Allocation
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests 10% to 60% of its net assets in the Tactical Allocation strategy, which includes derivative instruments (such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including currency, equity, index, and interest rate futures), options and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes), as well as direct investments in ETFs and fixed-income or debt instruments (such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield (i.e., junk) instruments, U.S. Government bonds and notes, TIPS, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, and mortgage dollar rolls, each with varying interest rates, terms, durations and credit exposures).
Through investments in Tactical Assets, Columbia Management seeks to adjust the Fund’s exposures to equity and fixed-income/ debt markets and to segments within those markets in response to its assessment of the relative risks and potential returns of these markets and segments. As with the Underlying Funds, the Fund may, through its tactical allocation strategy, reduce (or, in certain extreme cases, eliminate entirely) its EEME and, correspondingly, increase the Fund’s effective fixed-income/debt market exposure. Conversely, the Fund may also increase its EEME by employing the Tactical Assets to adjust upward the volatility level in the Fund’s portfolio closer to desired levels.
The Fund also seeks to reduce equity market volatility in the portfolio by purchasing or writing call and put options on equity indices to protect against periods of decline in equity markets.
The Investment Manager believes that the use of the Tactical Assets, the derivative instruments and ETFs in particular, may provide more efficient and economical exposure to asset classes and segments than investments in or withdrawals from the Underlying Funds. As a result, Columbia Management uses derivatives and ETFs as primary tools for adjusting the Fund’s EEME.
The Fund may hold a significant amount of cash, money market instruments or other high quality, short-term investments, including shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds which may have a floating net asset value, to cover obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives. The Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create significant leveraged exposure to the equity and debt markets. Leverage occurs when investments in derivatives create greater economic exposure than the amount invested. This means that the Fund could lose more than originally invested in the derivative.
The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade securities in the Fund’s portfolio to carry out its principal strategies.
Underlying Funds
Below are the Underlying Funds available to the Fund for investment within each asset class category. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. Certain Underlying Funds, due to their characteristics, may fit into more than one category, and may be used by the Investment Manager to provide exposure to more than one of these categories. A description of the Underlying Funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies is included in Appendix A. A description of the principal risks associated with the Underlying Funds is included in Appendix B. The prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the Underlying Funds include more detailed information about these Underlying Funds and are available free of charge by calling 800.345.6611.
234 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Equity Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund) ,Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund) , Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund, CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund , CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund*, CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund, CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund, Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund.
Fixed-Income Underlying Funds Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund, Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, CTIVP ® –– Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund and Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund.
Cash/Cash Equivalent Underlying Funds: Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund.
*Effective May 20, 2019, Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Equity Fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its net assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Fund-of-Funds Risk and Derivatives Risk . Descriptions of these and other Principal Risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. More information about underlying funds, including their principal risks, is available in their prospectuses, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. A description of the principal risk associated with investment in these underlying funds is included in Appendix B. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the underlying funds. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Allocation Risk. Because the Fund uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or
Prospectus 2019 235

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
236 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Prospectus 2019 237

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect
238 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
  performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in ETF shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF. There is a risk that ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF, and the ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. In addition, certain ETFs may be dependent upon licenses to use various indexes as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the ETFs may also terminate. An ETF may also terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize
Prospectus 2019 239

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest
240 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment
Prospectus 2019 241

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may
242 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have
Prospectus 2019 243

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund (continued)
limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Volatility and Volatility Management Risk. Although the Fund seeks to manage equity market volatility within its portfolio, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful. Despite the Fund’s name, the Fund’s portfolio may experience more than its targeted level of volatility, subjecting the Fund to market risk. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Funds’ portfolios may be subject to price volatility, and the Fund’s share price may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. The Investment Manager’s determinations/expectations regarding volatility may be incorrect or inaccurate, which may also adversely affect the Fund’s actual volatility within the portfolio. The Fund also may underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies. Additionally, because the Fund seeks to target a particular level of effective equity market exposure (EEME), as stated above under “Principal Investment Strategies”, the Fund may provide protection in volatile markets by potentially curbing or mitigating the risk of loss in declining equity markets, but the Fund’s opportunity to achieve returns when the equity markets are rising will also be curbed. In general, the greater the protection against downside loss (as reflected in a smaller target level of EEME), the lesser the Fund’s opportunity to participate in the returns generated by rising equity markets; however, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in protecting the value of its portfolio in down markets. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund maximizes its EEME in low volatility markets, if the equity markets should decline in such low volatility markets, the Fund may experience greater loss than if it had not maximized its EEME. To the extent that the Fund underestimates or misinterprets volatility signals, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected. The Fund's volatility management strategy may increase transaction costs, which would reduce gains. Volatility targets and volatility risk are different for all three funds in the U.S. Flexible series, with the Conservative Growth Fund having the lowest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk) and the U.S. Flexible Growth Fund having the highest relative volatility  target (and volatility risk).
244 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds
References to “the Fund” throughout the remainder of the prospectus refer to the Funds singularly or collectively as the context requires.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions or otherwise have exposure to derivative transactions through underlying investments. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (commonly known as SOFR) or the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly known as LIBOR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund's potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. Other risks arise from the Fund's potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund's derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Fund Investing
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds” (such as the Fund(s) offered in this prospectus), and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as
Prospectus 2019 245

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Affiliated Products
As of the date of this prospectus, shares of the Fund are available to holders of variable annuity contracts and in variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) issued by RiverSource Life Insurance Company and RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, RiverSource Life).
RiverSource Life is an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., which is the parent company of Columbia Management, the Fund’s investment manager. Under certain variable annuity contracts, contract holders have elected certain optional benefit riders that require investment in approved investment options, including the Fund (the Riders). RiverSource Life has financial obligations to holders of the Riders arising from guarantee obligations under such Riders, which vary based upon the investment performance of the Fund. RiverSource Life expects to benefit financially by offering this Fund, compared to offering other types of funds, in variable annuity contracts with Riders. For example, RiverSource Life expects to reduce its costs to purchase hedge investments associated with variable annuity contract liabilities tied to this Fund. It also expects to benefit from the greater liquidity of hedge investments used to meet its obligations under the Riders. In addition, it expects to reduce its capital requirements, which represent assets RiverSource Life sets aside to back the guarantees offered in its variable annuity contracts. As described above, RiverSource Life has a financial interest in reducing its potential exposure with respect to variable annuity contract values invested under the Riders. This may present a potential conflict of interest with respect to the interests of the holders of the Riders (who are required to allocate their variable annuity contract value to certain approved investment options, of which the Fund is one). In particular, RiverSource Life’s interest in reducing volatility within the Fund’s portfolio may present a potential conflict between it and Columbia Management as the latter seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective of “total return while seeking to manage the Fund’s exposure to equity market volatility.”
246 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Columbia Management has a framework in place to ensure its management of the Fund is effected in the best interests of the Fund, without undue influence from RiverSource Life. Although an investment in the Fund may have the effect of mitigating declines in your Contract value (whether or not you have elected a Rider in your variable annuity contract), in the event of a significant decline in the equity markets, the strategy followed by the Fund, if successful, will also generally result in your Contract value increasing to a lesser degree than the equity markets, or decreasing when the values of equity investments are stable or rising. Depending on future market conditions and considering only the potential return on your investment in the Fund, a variable annuity contract holder electing a Rider might benefit (or benefit more) from selecting an investment option offered in connection with a different optional benefit rider (if available) or alternate investments, and a variable annuity contract holder who did not elect a Rider might benefit (or benefit more) from selecting an alternative investment option. In addition, there is no guarantee that the Fund’s strategy will have its intended effect, or that it will work as effectively as is intended.
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Investing Defensively
The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
The Fund may not achieve its investment objective while it is investing defensively. Investing defensively may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. See also Investing in Money Market Funds above for more information.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures
The Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposures, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposures, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager believes such positioning is appropriate. The Fund may take such portfolio positions for as long a period as deemed necessary. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance. For information on the risks of investing in derivatives, see Transactions in Derivatives above.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Board has adopted policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third parties of information regarding the securities owned by the Fund. A description of these policies and procedures is included in the SAI. Fund policy generally permits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information on the Fund's website (columbiathreadneedleus.com) only after a certain amount of time has passed, as described in the SAI.
Prospectus 2019 247

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities can take place at any time, so the portfolio holdings information available on the Fund's website may not always be current.
FUNDamentals
Portfolio Holdings Versus the Benchmarks
The Fund does not limit its investments to the securities within its benchmark(s), and accordingly the Fund's holdings may diverge significantly from those of its benchmark(s). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities outside any industry and geographic sectors represented in its benchmark(s). The Fund's weightings in individual securities, and in industry or geographic sectors, may also vary considerably from those of its benchmark(s).
Cash Flows
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent the Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to shareholders redeeming Fund shares could require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at less than opportune times or to hold ready reserves of uninvested cash in amounts larger than might otherwise be the case to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio) of the Fund’s average net assets during that fiscal year. The expense ratios reflect the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus and, unless indicated otherwise, are based on expenses incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year. The Fund’s assets will fluctuate, but unless indicated otherwise in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table, no adjustments have been or will be made to the expense ratios to reflect any differences in the Fund’s average net assets between the most recently completed fiscal year and the date of this prospectus or a later date. In general, the Fund’s expense ratios will increase as its net assets decrease, such that the Fund’s actual expense ratios may be higher than the expense ratios presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table if assets fall. As applicable, any commitment by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates to waive fees and/or cap (reimburse) expenses is expected, in part, to limit the impact of any increase in the Fund’s expense ratios that would otherwise result because of a decrease in the Fund’s assets in the current fiscal year. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. Management fees do not vary by class, but distribution and/or service fees and other expenses may vary by class.
In addition to the total annual Fund operating expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund’s shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of the underlying funds (or acquired funds) in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” shown are based on its allocations to the underlying funds as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Because acquired funds will have varied expense and fee levels and the Fund may own different proportions of acquired funds at different times, the amount of fees and expenses incurred by the Fund with respect to such investments will vary.
FUNDamentals
Other Expenses
“Other expenses” consist of the fees the Fund pays to its custodian, transfer agent, auditors, lawyers and trustees, costs relating to compliance and miscellaneous expenses. These fees include certain sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees. For more information on these fees, see About Fund Shares and Transactions — Financial Intermediary Compensation.
248 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Arrangements and Impact on Past Performance
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) through April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund's Board, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
  Class 1 Class 2
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Under the agreement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Fund’s Board. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from all parties.
Also, for the funds listed below, the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below), so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the annual rates of:
    
  Class 1 Class 2
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund 0.85% 1.10%
Under the arrangement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the Fund’s operating expenses when calculating the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest and infrequent and/or unusual expenses. This arrangement may be revised or discontinued at any time.
Effect of Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements on Past Performance. The Fund’s returns shown in the Performance Information section of this prospectus reflect the effect of any fee waivers and/or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the Investment Manager and/or any of its affiliates that were in place during the performance period shown. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the Fund’s returns might have been lower.
Primary Service Providers
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, the Distributor, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any
Prospectus 2019 249

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). They and their affiliates currently provide key services, including investment advisory, administration, distribution, shareholder servicing and transfer agency services, to the Fund and various other funds, including the Columbia Funds, and are paid for providing these services. These service relationships are described below.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 and serves as investment adviser and administrator to the Columbia Funds. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund, determining what securities and other investments the Fund should buy or sell and executing portfolio transactions. The Investment Manager may use the research and other capabilities of its affiliates and third parties in managing the Fund’s investments. The Investment Manager is also responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the Fund, including the general supervision of the Fund’s operations, the coordination of the Fund’s other service providers and the provision of related clerical and administrative services.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships.
For VP - Managed Risk Fund and VP - Managed Risk U.S. Fund
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint an unaffiliated subadviser or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, including fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and the Columbia Funds have applied to amend this order. If issued, the updated order would permit the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint for the Fund not only unaffiliated subadvisers but also affiliated subadvisers without first obtaining shareholder approval. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its management services, which include investment advisory services and administrative services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to the amount shown in the table below, as a percent of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
    
250 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
  Management fee for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund 0.13%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund 0.13%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund 0.23%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund 0.22%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund 0.18%
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund 0.17%
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund 0.23%
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund 0.23%
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund 0.23%
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of each Fund's management agreement is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2018.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
    
Portfolio Manager Title Role with Fund Managed Fund Since
      For
Variable Portfolio (VP) –
Managed Risk Fund and
VP – Managed Risk
U.S. Fund
For
VP – Managed Volatility
Conservative Fund, VP – Managed Volatility
Conservative Growth Fund,
VP - Managed Volatility
Growth Fund and
VP – Managed Volatility
Moderate Growth Fund
For VP – U.S. Flexible
Conservative Growth Fund,
VP – U.S. Flexible
Growth Fund and
VP – U.S. Flexible
Moderate Growth Fund
Brian Virginia Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Investments Lead Portfolio
Manager
2017 2014 2016
Anwiti Bahuguna, Ph.D. Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Multi Asset Strategy Portfolio
Manager
2017 2015 2016
David Weiss, CFA Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management Portfolio
Manager
2017 2016 2016
Joshua Kutin, CFA Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of North America Asset Allocation Portfolio
Manager
2018 2018 2018
Mr. Virginia joined the Investment Manager in 2010. Mr. Virginia began his investment career in 1996 and earned a B.S. from Kansas State University.
Prospectus 2019 251

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
Dr. Bahuguna joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 2002. Dr. Bahuguna began her investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University and a Ph.D. in economics from Northeastern University.
Mr. Weiss joined the Investment Manager in August 2015 as Vice President, Head of Sub-Advisory Management. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Weiss was at Lincoln Financial Group where he was a Portfolio Manager and CIO of Lincoln Investment Advisors Corp. Mr. Weiss began his investment career in 1999 and earned a B.S. in management from Plymouth State College and an M.B.A. from Boston University Graduate School of Management.
Mr. Kutin joined the Investment Manager in 2015 as a senior portfolio manager for the Global Investment Solutions Group. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Kutin was a portfolio manager on the global asset allocation team at Putnam Investments. Mr. Kutin began his investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. in economics and a B.S. in mathematics with computer science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.S. in finance from Princeton University.
The Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., which is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay commissions, distribution and service fees and/or other compensation to entities, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for selling shares and providing services to investors.
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is a registered transfer agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, and its responsibilities include processing purchases, redemptions and transfers of Fund shares, calculating and paying distributions, maintaining shareholder records, preparing account statements and providing customer service. The Transfer Agent has engaged DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. to provide various sub-transfer agency services. The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners and the separate accounts. The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, provide various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which they are compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its other affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the mutual fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
252 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
More Information About the Funds (continued)
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests;
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund; and
insurance companies investing in the Fund may be affiliates of Ameriprise Financial; these affiliated insurance companies, individually and collectively, may hold through separate accounts a significant portion of the Fund's shares and may also invest in separate accounts managed by the Investment Manager that have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
Prospectus 2019 253

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions
References to the “Fund” throughout this section refer to each Fund, singularly or collectively, and Underlying Funds, as the context requires.
Description of the Share Classes
Share Class Features
The Fund offers the classes of shares set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of the Class 1 and Class 2 shares.
    
  Class 1 Shares Class 2 Shares
Eligible Investors Shares of the Fund are available only to separate accounts of participating insurance companies as underlying investments for variable annuity contracts and in variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) or other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor.
Investment Limits none none
Conversion Features none none
Front-End Sales Charges none none
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) none none
Maximum Distribution and/or Service Fees none 0.25%
FUNDamentals
Financial Intermediaries
The term “financial intermediary” refers to the insurance company that issued your contract or the financial intermediary that employs your financial advisor. Financial intermediaries also include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Distribution and/or Service Fees
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution plan which sets the distribution fees that are periodically deducted from the Fund’s assets for Class 2 shares. The distribution fee for Class 2 shares is 0.25%. These fees are calculated daily, may vary by share class and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and/or providing services to investors. Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment over time.
The Fund will pay these fees to the Distributor and/or to eligible financial intermediaries for as long as the distribution plan continues. The Fund may reduce or discontinue payments at any time.
The Fund pays a service fee to participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the separate accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, for marketing/sales support services relating to the Fund (Marketing Support Payments). Such payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds sold by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary; or a negotiated lump sum payment. While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the Marketing Support Payments to any one financial intermediary are generally between 0.05% and
254 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Fund attributable to the financial intermediary, and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for a financial intermediary receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Columbia Funds attributable to the financial intermediary.
As employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are generally tied to the success of Ameriprise Financial, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers and insurance companies, are incented to include shares of the Columbia Funds in Contracts offered by affiliated insurance companies. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, receive higher compensation and other benefits as investment in the Columbia Funds increases. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including the Distributor and the Investment Manager, and the products they offer, including the Fund.
In addition, the Transfer Agent has certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, primarily to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, including omnibus retirement plans, for services that they provide to beneficial Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.40% of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to participating insurance companies and other financial intermediaries that provide Shareholder Services up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a contractual asset-based cap. Payments of amounts that exceed the amount paid by the Fund are borne by the Transfer Agent, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates.
In addition to the payments described above, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates typically make other payments or allow promotional incentives to certain broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.
Amounts paid by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates are paid out of their own resources and do not increase the amount paid by you or the Fund. You can find further details in the SAI about the payments made by the Distributor, the Investment Manager and their affiliates, as well as a list of the financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial affiliates, to which the Distributor and the Investment Manager have agreed to make Marketing Support Payments and fee payments for Shareholder Services.
Your financial intermediary may charge you fees and commissions in addition to those described in this prospectus. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial advisors may have a conflict of interest or financial incentive with respect to recommendations regarding the Fund or any Contract or Qualified Plan that includes the Fund.
Share Price Determination
The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or transfer shares is the Fund's next determined net asset value (or NAV) per share. The Fund calculates the NAV per share for each class of shares of the Fund at the end of each business day, with the value of the Fund's shares based on the total value of all of the securities and other assets that it holds as of a specified time. Any affiliated underlying funds calculate their NAV in the same manner as the Fund calculates its NAV.
Prospectus 2019 255

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
Each of the Fund's share classes calculates its NAV per share as follows:
NAV per share =   (Value of assets of the share class) – (Liabilities of the share class)
Number of outstanding shares of the class
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations reported on stock exchanges and other securities markets around the world. If an equity security is listed on a national exchange, the security is valued at the closing price or, if the closing price is not readily available, the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Certain equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are valued primarily on the basis of indicative bids, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued primarily using a market-based price obtained from a pricing service, if available. Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. Both market quotations and indicative bids are obtained from outside pricing services approved and monitored pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund's Board.
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value, the Fund will determine the price of a portfolio security based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to a policy approved by the Fund’s Board. In addition, the Fund may use fair valuation to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria, including an evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security. To the extent the Fund has significant holdings of small cap stocks, high-yield bonds, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt, foreign or other securities that may trade infrequently, fair valuation may be used more frequently than for other funds.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Fund uses fair valuation to price securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund would have priced the security. Also, the use of fair valuation may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmarks used to compare the Fund's
256 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
performance because benchmarks generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate. The Fund has retained one or more independent fair valuation pricing services to assist in the fair valuation process for foreign securities.
Shareholder Information
Shares of the Fund are generally available for purchase only by participating insurance companies in connection with Contracts.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Transfer Agent may refuse any order to buy or transfer shares. If this happens, the Fund will return any money it received, but no interest will be paid on that money.
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold directly by individual Contract owners. When you sell your shares through your Contract, the Fund is effectively buying them back. This is called a redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or payment postponed whenever permitted by applicable laws and regulations, as described under Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests below.
Depending on the context, references to “you” or “your” herein refer either to the holder of a Contract who may select Fund shares to fund his or her investment in the Contract or to the participating insurance company as the holder of Fund shares through one or more separate accounts.
Satisfying Fund Redemption Requests
The Fund typically expects to send the redeeming participating insurance company or Qualified Plan sponsor payment for shares within two business days after your trade date. The Fund can suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days. The Fund can also suspend redemptions and/or delay payment of redemption proceeds in excess of seven days under certain circumstances, including when the NYSE is closed or trading thereon is restricted or during emergency or other circumstances, including as determined by the SEC.
The Fund typically seeks to satisfy redemption requests from cash or cash equivalents held by the Fund, from the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or from the proceeds of sales of Fund holdings effected in the normal course of managing the Fund. However, the Fund may have to sell Fund holdings, including in down markets, to meet heavier than usual redemption requests. For example, under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances, including circumstances adversely affecting the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be more likely to be forced to sell Fund holdings to meet redemptions than under normal market circumstances. In these situations, the Fund’s portfolio managers may have to sell Fund holdings that would not otherwise be sold because, among other reasons, the current price to be received is less than the value of the holdings perceived by the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Fund may also, under certain circumstances (but more likely under stressed or abnormal market conditions or circumstances), borrow money under a credit facility to which the Fund and certain other Columbia Funds are parties or from other Columbia Funds under an interfund lending program (except for closed-end funds and money market funds, which are not eligible to borrow under the program). The Fund and the other Columbia Funds are limited as to the amount that each may individually and collectively borrow under the credit facility and the interfund lending program. As a result, borrowings available to the Fund under the credit facility and the interfund lending program might be insufficient, alone or in combination with the other strategies described herein, to satisfy Fund redemption requests. Please see About Fund Investments – Borrowings – Interfund Lending in the SAI for more information about the credit facility and interfund lending program. The Fund is also limited in the total amount it may borrow. The Fund may only borrow to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any exemptive relief available to the Fund, which currently limit Fund borrowings to 33 1/3% of total assets (including any amounts borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes (to be repaid within 60 days without extension or renewal), in each case determined at the time the borrowing is made.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to honor redemption orders in whole or in part with in-kind distributions of Fund portfolio securities instead of cash if the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, determines it to be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders. Such in-kind distributions typically represent a pro-rata portion of Fund
Prospectus 2019 257

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
portfolio assets subject to adjustments (e.g., for non-transferable securities, round lots and derivatives). In the event the Fund distributes portfolio securities in kind, shareholders may incur brokerage and other transaction costs associated with converting the portfolio securities into cash. Also, the portfolio securities may increase or decrease in value after they are distributed but before they are converted into cash. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, redemptions paid in securities are generally treated the same as redemptions paid in cash. If, during any 90-day period, you redeem shares in an amount greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets (whichever is less), and if the Investment Manager determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Fund may pay the redemption amount above such threshold by an in-kind distribution of Fund portfolio securities. Although shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans, this policy applies indirectly to Contract and Qualified Plan owners.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Mixed and Shared Funding
The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies and may also be available to other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners may conflict. The Fund does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from these potential conflicts of interest at this time. Nevertheless, the Board of the Fund intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any conflicts. If such a conflict were to arise, one or more separate accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in the Fund or shares of another mutual fund may be substituted. This might force the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
Additional Discussion of Potential Conflicts of Interest Relating to Funds Used Exclusively by Affiliated Insurance Companies
The Fund is sold exclusively as underlying investment options of the Contracts offered by RiverSource Life Insurance Company (RiverSource Life) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (collectively, the Companies). The Investment Manager and its affiliates make or support payments out of their own resources to the Companies as a result of the Companies including the Fund as an investment option in the Contracts. These allocations may be significant. In addition, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of the Companies, may be separately incented to include the Fund in the Contracts, as employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are tied to the company’s success. These Contracts may also include unaffiliated mutual funds as investment options, and the Companies receive payments from the sponsors of these unaffiliated mutual funds as a result of including these funds in the products. The amount of payment from sponsors of unaffiliated funds or allocation from the Investment Manager and its affiliates varies, and may be significant. The amount of the payment or allocation the Companies receive from a Fund may create an incentive for the Companies and may influence their decision regarding which funds to include in a Contract. Employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including employees of affiliated broker-dealers, may be separately incented to recommend or sell shares of the Fund, as employee compensation and business unit operating goals at all levels are tied to the company’s success. Certain employees, directly or indirectly, may receive higher compensation and other benefits as investments in the Fund increase. In addition, management, sales leaders and other employees may spend more of their time and resources promoting Ameriprise Financial and its subsidiary companies, including Columbia Management, and the Distributor, and the products they offer, including the Fund. These arrangements are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing payments,” and are in addition to any Rule 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees or other amounts paid by the Fund for account maintenance, sub-accounting or recordkeeping services provided directly by the Companies. See About Fund Shares and Transactions – Financial Intermediary Compensation for more information generally about financial intermediary compensation and the Contract prospectus for more information regarding these payments and allocations relating to your Contract.
Order Processing
Orders to buy and sell shares of the Fund that are placed by your participating insurance company are processed on business days. Orders received in “good form” by the Transfer Agent or a financial intermediary, including your participating insurance company, before the end of a business day are priced at the NAV per share of the Fund's applicable share class on that day. Orders received after the end of a business day will receive the next business
258 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
day’s NAV per share. An order is in “good form” if the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary has all of the information and documentation it deems necessary to effect your order. The market value of the Fund’s investments may change between the time you submit your order and the time the Fund next calculates its NAV per share. The business day that applies to your order is also called the trade date.
There is no sales charge associated with the purchase of Fund shares, but there may be charges associated with your Contract. Any charges that apply to your Contract, and any charges that apply to separate accounts of participating insurance companies that may own shares directly, are described in your Contract prospectus.
You may transfer all or part of your investment in the Fund to one or more of the other investment options available under your Contract. You may provide instructions to sell any amount allocated to the Fund. Proceeds will be mailed within seven days after your surrender or withdrawal request is received in good form by an authorized agent. The amount you receive may be more or less than the amount you invested.
Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about transfers as well as surrenders and withdrawals.
Information Sharing Agreements
As required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds or certain of their service providers will enter into information sharing agreements with financial intermediaries, including participating life insurance companies and financial intermediaries that sponsor or offer retirement plans through which shares of the Funds are made available for purchase. Pursuant to Rule 22c-2, financial intermediaries are required, upon request, to: (i) provide shareholder account and transaction information; and (ii) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who have been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions that violate the Fund's excessive trading policies and procedures.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Non-Money Market Funds
Right to Reject or Restrict Share Transaction Orders— The Fund is intended for investors with long-term investment purposes and is not intended as a vehicle for frequent trading activity (market timing) that is excessive. Investors should transact in Fund shares primarily for investment purposes. The Board has adopted excessive trading policies and procedures that are designed to deter excessive trading by investors (the Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures). The Fund discourages and does not accommodate excessive trading.
The Fund reserves the right to reject, without any prior notice, any purchase or transfer order for any reason, and will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected orders. For example, the Fund may in its sole discretion restrict or reject a purchase or transfer order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific limitation described below if the Fund or its agents determine that accepting the order could interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or is otherwise contrary to the Fund's best interests. The Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures apply equally to purchase or transfer transactions communicated directly to the Transfer Agent and to those received by financial intermediaries.
Specific Buying and Transferring Limitations — If a Fund detects that an investor has made two “material round trips” in any 28-day period, it will generally reject the investor's future purchase orders, including transfer buy orders, involving any Fund.
For these purposes, a “round trip” is a purchase or transfer into the Fund followed by a sale or transfer out of the Fund, or a sale or transfer out of the Fund followed by a purchase or transfer into the Fund. A “material” round trip is one that is deemed by the Fund to be material in terms of its amount or its potential detrimental impact on the Fund. Independent of this limit, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reject future purchase orders by any person, group or account that appears to have engaged in any type of excessive trading activity.
These limits generally do not apply to automated transactions or transactions by registered investment companies in a “fund-of-funds” structure. These limits do not apply to payroll deduction contributions by retirement plan participants, transactions initiated by a retirement plan sponsor or certain other retirement plan transactions consisting of rollover transactions, loan repayments and disbursements, and required minimum distribution redemptions. They may be modified or rescinded for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan limits, for considerations relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or regulations of the
Prospectus 2019 259

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
Department of Labor, and for certain asset allocation or wrap programs. Accounts known to be under common ownership or control generally will be counted together, but accounts maintained or managed by a common intermediary generally will not be considered to be under common ownership or control. The Fund retains the right to modify these restrictions at any time without prior notice to shareholders. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, reinstate trading privileges that have been revoked under the Fund's Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.
Limitations on the Ability to Detect and Prevent Excessive Trading Practices— The Fund takes various steps designed to detect and prevent excessive trading, including daily review of available shareholder transaction information. However, the Fund receives buy, sell or transfer orders through financial intermediaries, and cannot always know of or reasonably detect excessive trading that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or by the use of the omnibus account arrangements they offer. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of mutual funds, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, retirement plans and variable insurance products. These arrangements often permit financial intermediaries to aggregate their clients' transactions and accounts, and in these circumstances, the identities of the financial intermediary clients that beneficially own Fund shares are often not known to the Fund.
Some financial intermediaries apply their own restrictions or policies to their clients’ transactions and accounts, which may be more or less restrictive than those described here. This may impact the Fund's ability to curtail excessive trading, even where it is identified. For these and other reasons, it is possible that excessive trading may occur despite the Fund's efforts to detect and prevent it.
Although these restrictions and policies involve judgments that are inherently subjective and may involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of Fund shareholders in making any such judgments.
Risks of Excessive Trading — Excessive trading creates certain risks to the Fund's long-term shareholders and may create the following adverse effects:
negative impact on the Fund's performance;
potential dilution of the value of the Fund's shares;
interference with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio, such as the need to maintain undesirably large cash positions, the need to use its line of credit or the need to buy or sell securities it otherwise would not have bought or sold;
losses on the sale of investments resulting from the need to sell securities at less favorable prices; and
increased brokerage and administrative costs.
To the extent that the Fund invests significantly in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the Fund's valuation time, it may be particularly susceptible to dilution as a result of excessive trading. Because events may occur after the close of foreign markets and before the Fund's valuation time that influence the value of foreign securities, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of foreign securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is often referred to as price arbitrage. The Fund has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities under certain circumstances to reflect what the Fund believes to be the fair value of those securities as of its valuation time. To the extent the adjustments do not work fully, investors engaging in price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the Fund's shares held by other shareholders.
Similarly, to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in thinly traded securities and other debt instruments that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), equity securities of small-capitalization companies, floating rate loans, or tax-exempt or other securities that may trade infrequently, because
these securities are often traded infrequently, investors may seek to trade Fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities as of the Fund's valuation time. This is also a type of price arbitrage. Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the Fund's portfolio to a greater degree than would be the case for mutual funds that invest only, or significantly, in highly liquid securities, in part because the Fund may have difficulty selling these particular investments at advantageous times or prices to
260 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
About Fund Shares and Transactions (continued)
satisfy large and/or frequent sell orders. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by non-redeeming shareholders. The risks of excessive trading described above also apply to any Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.
Excessive Trading Practices Policy of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund
A money market fund is designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may buy and sell as often as they wish. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares. However, since frequent purchases and sales of Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund shares could in certain instances harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs (such as spreads paid to dealers who trade money market instruments with Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) and disrupting portfolio management strategies, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any purchase or transfer transaction at any time. Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund has no limits on purchase or transfer transactions. In addition, Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund reserves the right to impose or modify restrictions on purchases, transfers or trading of Fund shares at any time.
Prospectus 2019 261

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Distributions and Taxes
References to the “Fund” throughout this section refer to each Fund, singularly or collectively, and Underlying Funds, as the context requires.
Distributions to Shareholders
A mutual fund can make money two ways:
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and bonds, and dividends paid on common stocks.
A mutual fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases.
Mutual funds treated as regulated investment companies for tax purposes are required to make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund.
In the case of the Fund, because the Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, it is not required to and does not expect to make regular distributions to its shareholders (other than in redemption of Fund shares), but may do so in the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or its delegates).
Taxes and Your Investment
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Fund were not to qualify for such treatment, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the Fund level, which would reduce the value of an investment in the Fund.
As a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership,” the Fund is generally not itself subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, each shareholder will be required to take into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of the Fund’s income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and other tax items, without regard to whether such shareholder has received or will receive corresponding distributions from the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are only offered to separate accounts of participating insurance companies, and certain other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of participating insurance companies to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor, or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.
For Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies: Your Contract may qualify for favorable tax treatment. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for more information about the tax implications of your investment in the Contract. As long as your Contract continues to qualify for such favorable tax treatment, you will not be taxed currently on your investment in the Fund through such Contract, even if the Fund makes allocations or distributions to the separate account and/or you change your investment options under the Contract. In order to qualify for such treatment, among other things, the separate accounts of participating insurance companies, which maintain and invest net proceeds from Contracts, must be “adequately diversified.” The Fund intends to operate in such a manner so that a separate account investing only in Fund shares on behalf of a holder of a Contract will be “adequately diversified.” If the Fund does not meet such requirements because its investments are not adequately diversified, your Contract could lose its favorable tax treatment and income and gain allocable to your Contract could be taxable currently to you. This could also occur if Contract holders are found to have an impermissible level of control over the investments underlying their Contracts, or if the Fund does not qualify for treatment as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership.”
262 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your indirect investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account other than a Contract, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
Prospectus 2019 263

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Managed Risk Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 (a)
Per share data    
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.39 $10.00
Income (loss) from investment operations:    
Net investment income 0.09 (0.00) (b)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.64) 0.39
Total from investment operations (0.55) 0.39
Net asset value, end of period $9.84 $10.39
Total return (5.29%) 3.90%
Ratios to average net assets    
Total gross expenses (c) 0.61% 1.17% (d)
Total net expenses (c), (e) 0.55% 0.49% (d)
Net investment income (loss) 0.85% (0.01%) (d)
Supplemental data    
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $97,370 $17,803
Portfolio turnover 47% 75%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) The Fund commenced operations on September 12, 2017. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(b) Rounds to zero.
(c) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
264 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Managed Risk U.S. Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 (a)
Per share data    
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.47 $10.00
Income (loss) from investment operations:    
Net investment income (loss) 0.04 (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.41) 0.48
Total from investment operations (0.37) 0.47
Net asset value, end of period $10.10 $10.47
Total return (3.53%) 4.70%
Ratios to average net assets    
Total gross expenses (b) 0.67% 1.19% (c)
Total net expenses (b), (d) 0.58% 0.52% (c)
Net investment income (loss) 0.41% (0.26%) (c)
Supplemental data    
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $80,119 $12,190
Portfolio turnover 45% 109%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) The Fund commenced operations on September 12, 2017. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(b) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
Prospectus 2019 265

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Per share data          
Net asset value, beginning of period $11.63 $10.78 $10.46 $10.58 $10.13
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income 0.17 0.13 0.09 0.10 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.47) 0.72 0.23 (0.22) 0.39
Total from investment operations (0.30) 0.85 0.32 (0.12) 0.45
Net asset value, end of period $11.33 $11.63 $10.78 $10.46 $10.58
Total return (2.58%) 7.88% 3.06% (1.13%) 4.44%
Ratios to average net assets          
Total gross expenses (a) 0.57% 0.55% 0.53% 0.56% 0.61%
Total net expenses (a), (b) 0.57% 0.55% 0.53% 0.56% 0.60%
Net investment income 1.45% 1.17% 0.86% 0.98% 0.54%
Supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $426,294 $462,907 $444,792 $241,975 $142,420
Portfolio turnover 119% 103% 106% 142% 184%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
266 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Managed Volatility ConservativeGrowth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Per share data          
Net asset value, beginning of period $12.32 $11.08 $10.74 $10.94 $10.45
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income 0.15 0.11 0.07 0.09 0.05
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.68) 1.13 0.27 (0.29) 0.44
Total from investment operations (0.53) 1.24 0.34 (0.20) 0.49
Net asset value, end of period $11.79 $12.32 $11.08 $10.74 $10.94
Total return (4.30%) 11.19% 3.17% (1.83%) 4.69%
Ratios to average net assets          
Total gross expenses (a) 0.54% 0.53% 0.51% 0.52% 0.52%
Total net expenses (a), (b) 0.54% 0.53% 0.51% 0.52% 0.52%
Net investment income 1.21% 0.95% 0.64% 0.83% 0.51%
Supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $1,300,981 $1,425,498 $1,358,964 $936,541 $703,842
Portfolio turnover 101% 100% 108% 118% 122%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
Prospectus 2019 267

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Managed Volatility Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Per share data          
Net asset value, beginning of period $13.71 $11.67 $11.29 $11.68 $11.14
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income 0.09 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.15) 1.99 0.34 (0.42) 0.51
Total from investment operations (1.06) 2.04 0.38 (0.39) 0.54
Net asset value, end of period $12.65 $13.71 $11.67 $11.29 $11.68
Total return (7.73%) 17.48% 3.37% (3.34%) 4.85%
Ratios to average net assets          
Total gross expenses (a) 0.49% 0.48% 0.47% 0.48% 0.49%
Total net expenses (a), (b) 0.49% 0.48% 0.47% 0.48% 0.49%
Net investment income 0.65% 0.42% 0.37% 0.29% 0.26%
Supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $9,820,308 $10,121,668 $8,232,846 $7,441,534 $6,005,482
Portfolio turnover 74% 83% 91% 74% 47%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
268 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Per share data          
Net asset value, beginning of period $14.19 $12.41 $12.00 $12.31 $11.74
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income 0.13 0.09 0.07 0.08 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.96) 1.69 0.34 (0.39) 0.51
Total from investment operations (0.83) 1.78 0.41 (0.31) 0.57
Net asset value, end of period $13.36 $14.19 $12.41 $12.00 $12.31
Total return (5.85%) 14.34% 3.42% (2.52%) 4.86%
Ratios to average net assets          
Total gross expenses (a) 0.49% 0.47% 0.46% 0.47% 0.47%
Total net expenses (a), (b) 0.49% 0.47% 0.46% 0.47% 0.47%
Net investment income 0.90% 0.69% 0.57% 0.64% 0.46%
Supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $13,743,943 $14,678,387 $12,877,836 $11,278,182 $9,917,511
Portfolio turnover 92% 98% 112% 119% 107%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(b) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
Prospectus 2019 269

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 (a)
Per share data      
Net asset value, beginning of period $11.25 $10.07 $10.00
Income (loss) from investment operations:      
Net investment income (loss) 0.11 0.09 (0.02)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.39) 1.09 0.09
Total from investment operations (0.28) 1.18 0.07
Net asset value, end of period $10.97 $11.25 $10.07
Total return (2.49%) 11.72% 0.70%
Ratios to average net assets      
Total gross expenses (b) 0.65% 0.74% 1.08% (c)
Total net expenses (b), (d) 0.65% 0.67% 0.66% (c)
Net investment income (loss) 0.99% 0.80% (0.28%) (c)
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $139,061 $82,636 $18,272
Portfolio turnover 51% 49% 10%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) The Fund commenced operations on November 2, 2016. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(b) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
270 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 (a)
Per share data      
Net asset value, beginning of period $12.26 $10.35 $10.00
Income (loss) from investment operations:      
Net investment income (loss) 0.05 0.02 (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.53) 1.89 0.36
Total from investment operations (0.48) 1.91 0.35
Net asset value, end of period $11.78 $12.26 $10.35
Total return (3.92%) 18.45% 3.50%
Ratios to average net assets      
Total gross expenses (b) 0.55% 0.55% 0.63% (c)
Total net expenses (b), (d) 0.55% 0.55% 0.63% (c)
Net investment income (loss) 0.38% 0.17% (0.26%) (c)
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $1,705,527 $998,296 $166,632
Portfolio turnover 44% 9% 12%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) The Fund commenced operations on November 2, 2016. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(b) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
Prospectus 2019 271

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Financial Highlights — VP – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract; such fees and expenses would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Because Class 1 shares of the Fund commenced operations after the Fund’s fiscal year end, no financial highlights are provided for this class.
    
Class 2 Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 (a)
Per share data      
Net asset value, beginning of period $11.76 $10.21 $10.00
Income (loss) from investment operations:      
Net investment income (loss) 0.09 0.06 (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.47) 1.49 0.22
Total from investment operations (0.38) 1.55 0.21
Net asset value, end of period $11.38 $11.76 $10.21
Total return (3.23%) 15.18% 2.10%
Ratios to average net assets      
Total gross expenses (b) 0.56% 0.56% 0.75% (c)
Total net expenses (b), (d) 0.56% 0.56% 0.64% (c)
Net investment income (loss) 0.74% 0.56% (0.16%) (c)
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $1,142,028 $715,814 $89,784
Portfolio turnover 42% 9% 16%
  
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) Class 2 shares commenced operations on November 2, 2016. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(b) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
272 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A
Underlying Funds — Investment Objectives and Strategies
The following is a brief description of the investment objectives and principal investment strategies of certain of the Underlying Funds (which are referred to as Funds in the descriptions below) in which the Fund may invest as part of its principal investment strategies. The Investment Manager may add new Underlying Funds for investment or change Underlying Funds without the approval of shareholders. The Investment Manager does not necessarily invest Fund assets in each of the Underlying Funds listed below. Additional information regarding the Underlying Funds is available in their prospectuses and SAIs. This prospectus is not an offer for any of the Underlying Funds. For copies of prospectuses of the Underlying Funds, which contains this and other information, call 800.345.6611. Read the prospectuses carefully before you invest.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund (the Fund) seeks total return, consisting of long-term capital appreciation and current income.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks. In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. companies that have large market capitalizations (generally over $2 billion) that the Fund’s investment manager believes are undervalued and have the potential for long-term growth and current income.
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the financial services sector.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations greater than $5 billion at the time of purchase or that are within the market capitalization range of companies in the S&P 500 Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stocks. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity futures and index futures) for cash equitization purposes.
In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers employ a process that applies fundamental investment concepts in a systematic framework seeking to identify and exploit mispriced stocks. The Fund benefits from collaboration between quantitative and fundamental research to create sector and industry-specific multi-factor stock selection models, which are utilized by the portfolio managers when constructing a diversified portfolio.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income and, as a secondary objective, steady growth of capital.
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in equity securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks. The selection of dividend-paying stocks is the primary decision in building the investment portfolio. The Fund invests principally in securities of companies believed to be attractively valued and to have the potential for long-term growth. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
Prospectus 2019 A-1

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as structured investments (including equity-linked notes), for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes and to increase investment flexibility.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through current income and, secondarily, through capital appreciation.
The Fund invests primarily in fixed income securities of emerging markets issuers. For these purposes, emerging market countries are generally those either defined by World Bank-defined per capita income brackets or determined to be an emerging market based on the Fund investment team’s qualitative judgments about a country’s level of economic and institutional development, among other factors. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in fixed income securities of issuers that are located in emerging markets countries, or that earn 50% or more of their total revenues from goods or services produced in emerging markets countries or from sales made in emerging markets countries. Fixed income securities may be denominated in either U.S. dollars or the local currency of the issuer. While the Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of foreign governmental and corporate entities located in the same country, it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single issuer. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas. The Fund can invest in emerging market sovereign debt instruments of any credit quality, including those rated investment grade and below investment grade or considered to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”). Although the emerging markets sovereign debt universe largely consists of investment grade instruments, a significant portion of that universe is rated in these lower rating categories. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in debt securities that are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures), and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) for hedging and investment purposes.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities (including, but not limited to, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks) of companies located in emerging market countries. The Fund may also gain exposure to such companies through investment in depositary receipts. Emerging market countries include those countries whose economies are considered to be developing or emerging from underdevelopment.
The Fund may invest in a variety of countries, industries and sectors and does not attempt to invest a specific percentage of its assets in any given country, industry or sector. However, the Fund has invested substantially in the financial services sector and information technology and technology-related sectors and may continue to invest
A-2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
substantially in these or other sectors in the future. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region. The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
The Fund may invest in special situations, such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies.
The Fund may invest in securities that the investment manager believes are undervalued, represent growth opportunities, or both.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Bond Fund)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high total return through income and growth of capital.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in debt obligations of issuers located in at least three different countries (which may include the U.S.). Debt obligations include debt securities and instruments, including money market instruments, either issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by (i) the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, (ii) non-U.S. governments, their agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, or (iii) corporate or other non-governmental entities. The Fund may invest in debt securities and instruments across the credit quality spectrum and, at times, may invest significantly in below investment-grade fixed-income securities and instruments (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk bonds”) in seeking to achieve higher dividends and/or capital appreciation.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas and may invest in issuers in emerging markets. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
In addition, in pursuing its objective, the Fund, employing both fundamental and quantitative analyses, may enter into various currency-, interest rate- and credit-related transactions involving derivatives instruments. The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures contracts (including currency, index, interest rate, and other bond futures), and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, inflation rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and total return swaps). The use of these derivative instruments allows the Fund to obtain net long or net negative (short) exposure to selected currencies, interest rates, credit risks and duration risks. The Fund may use these derivatives as well as “to be announced” (TBA) mortgage-backed securities in an effort to leverage exposures and produce incremental earnings, for hedging purposes, to obtain increased or decreased exposures to various markets/sectors or to increase investment flexibility. Actual long and short exposures will vary over time based on factors such as market movements, assessments of market conditions, macroeconomic analysis and qualitative valuation analysis.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Prospectus 2019 A-3

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal.
The Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in government securities, cash and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash. For purposes of this policy, “government securities” are any securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the United States, or by a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the Government of the United States pursuant to authority granted by the Congress of the United States, or any certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing.
The Fund typically invests in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and other obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements secured by such obligations. The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate instruments, and may transact in securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (including U.S. Treasury floating rate notes). The Fund invests in a portfolio of securities maturing in 397 days or less (as maturity is calculated by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules governing the operation of money market funds) that will have a dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less and a dollar-weighted average life of 120 days or less.
The securities purchased by the Fund are subject to the quality, diversification, and other requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and other rules of the SEC. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in government securities and/or repurchase securities that are collateralized by government securities. The Fund will only purchase government securities, cash, repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash, and up to 0.5% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in other securities that present minimal credit risk as determined by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the Investment Manager), pursuant to guidelines approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the Fund will not be subject to liquidity fees and redemption gates at this time.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in high-yield debt instruments (commonly referred to as “junk” bonds or securities). These high yield debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as floating rate loans rated below investment grade by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
A-4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Income Opportunities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high total return through current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund’s assets are invested primarily in income-producing debt securities, with an emphasis on the higher rated segment of the high-yield (junk bond) market. These income-producing debt instruments include corporate debt securities as well as bank loans. The Fund will purchase only debt instruments rated B or above, or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality. If a debt instrument falls below a B rating after investment by the Fund, the Fund may continue to hold the instrument.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments.
Corporate debt instruments in which the Fund invests are typically unsecured, with a fixed-rate of interest, and are usually issued by companies or similar entities to provide financing for their operations, or other activities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity. Because the Fund emphasizes high-yield investments, more emphasis is put on credit risk by the portfolio managers in selecting investments than either maturity or duration.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while attempting to conserve the value of the investment for the longest period of time.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. government, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures) and swap contracts (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes, and interest rate swaps) for hedging and investment purposes, and to manage credit and interest rate exposure of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
While the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, under normal circumstances, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity will be between three and ten years.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Prospectus 2019 A-5

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the Index). These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies that the investment manager believes have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors and the consumer discretionary sector.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index (the Index). The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including equity index futures), for cash equitization purposes.
Different common stocks have different weightings in the Index, depending on the amount of stock outstanding and the stock’s current price. In seeking to match the performance of the Index, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) attempts to allocate the Fund’s assets among common stocks in approximately the same weightings as the Index. This is referred to as a passive or indexing approach to investing. The Fund may buy shares of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund’s investment manager, which is currently included in the Index, subject to certain restrictions.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Limited Duration Credit Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in corporate bonds. The Fund primarily invests in debt securities with short- and intermediate-term maturities generally similar to those included in the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index (the Index). The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund’s duration is managed to help reduce volatility associated with changes in interest rates. Under normal conditions, the Fund will target duration to be similar to or lower than that of the Index, but will not exceed that of the Index by more than one year. As of March 31, 2019, the duration of the Index was 2.71 years.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures), to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund may also use these instruments for other purposes.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging markets.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks total return, consisting of current income and capital appreciation.
A-6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. The Fund’s investments may include debt instruments of governments throughout the world (including the U.S., other developed markets, and emerging markets) as well as their agencies and instrumentalities, government-sponsored enterprises, states or other political subdivisions within the U.S. or its territories, sovereign and quasi-sovereign issuers, and non-governmental issuers (i.e., corporations or similar entities) throughout the world. The Fund may also invest in mortgage- and other asset backed securities. Although the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” investments or “junk” bonds), the Fund will primarily invest in investment grade securities. Investment grade is defined as rated Baa3/BBB or higher by at least two of the following rating agencies: Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. If only two of the three rating agencies rate the security, the lower rating is issued to determine its eligibility. If only one of the three rating agencies rates a security, the rating must be investment-grade.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign debt securities and instruments, including those of foreign governments, non-governmental issuers or other entities, and up to 20% of its net assets in preferred stock.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average effective maturity will be ten years or longer. The Fund may invest opportunistically in bonds with maturities lower than 10 years.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures) to manage the portfolio duration and yield curve positioning of the Fund.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with growth of capital.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) at the time of purchase in the common stocks of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, midcap companies are considered to be companies whose market capitalization falls within the market capitalization range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap® Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254 million and $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. As long as an investment continues to meet the Fund’s other investment criteria, the Fund may choose to continue to hold a stock even if the company’s market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies believed to have the potential for long-term, above-average earnings growth but may invest in companies for their short, medium or long-term prospects. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more economic sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest in special situations such as companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and in companies involved in management changes or companies developing new technologies.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with capital appreciation.
Prospectus 2019 A-7

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities in foreign companies. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities, such as common and preferred stock, or indirectly through mutual funds and closed-end funds, as well as depositary receipts. The Fund may invest in securities of or relating to issuers believed to be undervalued (i.e., “value” stocks), represent growth opportunities (i.e., “growth” stocks), or both. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies.
The Fund may invest in companies involved in initial public offerings, tender offers, mergers, other corporate restructurings and other special situations. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including equity futures and index futures) and options (including options on stocks and indices), for both hedging and non-hedging purposes including, for example, for investment purposes to seek to enhance returns or, in certain circumstances, when holding a derivative is deemed preferable to holding the underlying asset. In particular, the Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to hedge the currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund’s securities, to shift investment exposure from one currency to another, to shift U.S. dollar exposure to achieve a representative weighted mix of major currencies in its benchmark, or to adjust an underweight country exposure in its portfolio. The Fund may also invest in equity index futures to manage exposure to the securities market and to maintain equity market exposure while managing cash flows.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies that have market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, in the range of companies in the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $2.5 billion to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund normally invests in common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and rights and may invest in exchange-traded funds. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 45 and 65 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as options, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, including, for example, to seek to enhance returns or as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset.
A-8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which large market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 40 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies are those whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase fall within the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index) (between $254.0 million and $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund normally invests in common stocks and also may invest in real estate investment trusts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 30 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund)
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization issuers. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 2000® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $24.6 million and $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the parameters by which smaller market capitalization is defined if it concludes such a change is appropriate.
The Fund invests substantially in securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund also invests substantially in “value” companies. The Fund considers “value” companies to be those companies believed by the investment manager to be undervalued, either historically, by the market, or as compared with issuers in the same or similar industry or sector. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts. The
Prospectus 2019 A-9

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Fund may hold a small number of securities, consistent with its value investment approach. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 40 and 50 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Strategic Income Fund (the Fund) seeks total return, consisting of current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund has substantial exposure to fixed-income/debt markets. The Fund has the flexibility to invest in any sector of the fixed-income/debt market and across the credit quality spectrum. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government bonds and notes (including those of its agencies and instrumentalities, and of government-sponsored enterprises), U.S. and international (including developed, developing and emerging markets) bonds and notes, investment grade corporate (or similar) bonds and notes, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, high yield (i.e., “junk”) instruments, floating rate loans and other floating rate debt securities, inflation-protected/linked securities, convertible securities, cash/cash equivalents, as well as foreign government, sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt investments. The Fund’s investments may include non-U.S. dollar denominated instruments. The Fund may also invest in preferred securities. The Fund does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity or duration target.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts for investment and hedging purposes), futures (including bond futures for managing yield curve and duration risk, and index and interest rate futures for hedging and investment purposes), options (including options on listed futures for hedging purposes), and swaps (including credit default swaps, credit default swap indexes and interest rate swaps for hedging purposes, and total return swaps for investment purposes). The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund may invest in interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) bonds (commonly known as stripped securities) for investment purposes.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund (i) invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment (Focus Stocks) and (ii) may also invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in Focus Stocks. The Fund may continue to hold, and to make additional investments in, Focus Stocks whose market capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion, regardless of whether the Fund’s investments in Focus Stocks are a majority of the Fund’s net assets.
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, including futures (including equity futures and index futures), for hedging, investment or cash equitization purposes.
A-10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager) serves as the investment manager for the Fund and attempts to achieve the Fund’s objective by managing a portion of the Fund’s assets and selecting one or more subadvisers to manage other portions of the Fund’s assets independently of each other and Columbia Management.
Columbia Management combines fundamental and quantitative analysis with risk management in identifying investment opportunities and constructing its portion of the Fund’s portfolio. A portion of the Fund’s assets is subadvised by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM), a wholly-owned affiliate of the Investment Manager. The subadviser and Columbia Management each make investment decisions for their respective portions of the Fund’s assets independently of one another.
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income as its primary objective and, as its secondary objective, preservation of capital.
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in mortgage-related securities. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in mortgage-related securities that either are issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities. This includes, but is not limited to, Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae) mortgage-backed bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government; and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac) mortgage-backed bonds. FNMA and FHLMC are chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress; however, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
The Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities include investments in stripped mortgage-backed securities such as interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO) securities.
The Fund may invest in debt instruments of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including interest rate futures) to manage duration and yield curve exposure and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal.
The Fund’s assets primarily are invested in money market instruments, such as marketable debt obligations issued by corporations or the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, letters of credit, commercial paper, including asset-backed commercial paper, and repurchase agreements. The Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in money market instruments issued by U.S. banks, U.S. branches of foreign banks and U.S. Government securities in the event that such investments would be appropriate for the Fund in seeking to achieve its objective, including, for example, if the interest rate environment is such that these investments are expected to provide higher rates of return than other money market instruments. The Fund may invest less than 25% in such investments if the interest rate environment is such that other money market instruments are expected to provide a higher rate of return. Additionally, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign investments. The Fund may transact in securities on a when-issued,
Prospectus 2019 A-11

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (including U.S. Treasury floating rate notes). The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
Although the Fund’s shares are priced with a floating NAV, capital appreciation is not expected to play a role in the Fund’s return. The Fund’s yield generally will vary from day to day.
The Fund restricts its investments to instruments that meet certain maturity and quality standards required by the SEC for money market funds. For example, the Fund:
Buys securities determined to present minimal credit risk by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager).
Limits its U.S. dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity to 60 days or less and its U.S. dollar-weighted average life to 120 days or less.
Buys obligations with remaining maturities of 397 days or less (as maturity is calculated by SEC rules governing the operation of money market funds).
Buys only obligations that are denominated in U.S. dollars.
The Fund is offered only to other Columbia Funds.
CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
CTIVP ® - American Century Diversified Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. At least 50% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. Although the Fund emphasizes high- and medium-quality debt securities, it may assume increased credit risk by investing in below investment-grade fixed-income securities (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds).
The Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Ginnie Mae is supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Securities issued or guaranteed by other U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. However, they are authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in debt instruments of foreign issuers, including issuers in emerging markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate futures) and swaps (including credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes) in an effort to manage interest rate exposure, to produce incremental earnings, to hedge existing positions, and to increase market exposure and investment flexibility.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund
CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
A-12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of foreign issuers, located or traded in countries other than the U.S., that are believed to offer strong growth potential. Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally invests its assets in companies whose market capitalizations fall within the range of the companies that comprise the MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index (the Index) at the time of purchase. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $1.9 billion to $290.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures (including index futures), forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), as well as in foreign currencies and exchange-traded funds, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds and money market funds.
Quantitative models are used as part of the investment process for the Fund. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.
CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return that exceeds the rate of inflation over the long term.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in inflation-protected debt securities. These securities include inflation-indexed bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Government and non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, and U.S. and non-U.S. corporations. The Fund invests only in securities rated investment grade at the time of purchase by a third-party rating agency or, if unrated, deemed by the management team to be of comparable quality. Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in sectors outside the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked Bond Index USD Hedged (the Index). The Fund seeks to maintain an average duration that is within a range of plus or minus 20% of the duration of the Index.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and companies that (a) maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., (b) have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or (c) have been formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. This 40% minimum investment amount may be reduced to 30% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund considers a company to conduct its principal business activities outside the U.S. if it derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the U.S. or has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including Europe.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts), futures (including interest rate, other bond, and index futures), options (including options on futures and indices) and swaps (including interest rate swaps and inflation rate swaps). The Fund may enter into derivatives for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes, to increase flexibility, to produce incremental earnings, and to manage duration, yield curve and interest rate exposure. The Fund’s use of derivatives creates leverage (market exposure in excess of the Fund’s assets) in the Fund’s portfolio.
The management team may hedge any portion of the non-U.S. dollar denominated securities in the Fund to the U.S. dollar.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
Prospectus 2019 A-13

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity and equity-related securities issued by companies in the real estate industry. A company is considered to be in the real estate industry if it (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from the ownership, construction, management, financing or sale of residential, commercial or industrial real estate or (ii) has at least 50% of the fair market value of its assets invested in residential, commercial or industrial real estate. Companies in the real estate industry include, among others, real estate operating companies (REOCs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that have market capitalizations of any size.
CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund
CTIVP ® - DFA International Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large non-U.S. companies associated with developed markets that the Fund’s portfolio managers determine to be value stocks at the time of purchase. These equity securities generally include common stock, preferred stock and depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in companies in three or more non-U.S. developed market countries. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe.
Investments for the Fund will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Fund’s portfolio pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Fund will receive dividend income.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) in connection with the settlement of equity trades or the exchange of one currency for another and futures contracts (including equity and index futures) to adjust market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Fund.
CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund
CTIVP ® – Lazard International Equity Advantage Fund (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies located in countries outside the United States. Equity securities include, without limitation, common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including Europe and Japan.
The Fund may invest in companies across all market capitalizations. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
The Fund’s investments include companies that are located in the countries represented in the MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (the Index), which includes developed countries outside of North America. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in companies that are located in countries not represented in the Index, such as emerging markets countries. The Fund will invest primarily in securities of companies listed on a non-U.S. securities exchange or quoted on an established foreign over-the-counter market, or in depository receipts such as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs).
The Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs), warrants and rights.
The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
A-14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
In managing the Fund, the subadviser utilizes a quantitatively driven, bottom-up stock selection process.
CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
CTIV ® - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large-capitalization companies believed to have the potential for long-term growth. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging market securities, directly or indirectly through depositary receipts.
The Fund will not concentrate its assets in any single industry but may from time to time invest more than 25% of its assets in companies conducting business in various industries within an economic sector. The Fund will typically invest in a limited number of companies.
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of U.S. large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $587.5 million and $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs). The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The Fund’s subadviser uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct the Fund’s portfolio.
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund (effective May 20, 2019 known as Variable Portfolio - Partners Core Equity Fund)
Effective May 1, 2019 to May 19, 2019:
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities. Equity securities include, for example, common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Fund may invest in companies that are believed to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other companies (growth companies), in companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies), or in a combination of growth and value companies. Although the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily invests in companies with capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of the Fund’s investment.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
The subadviser uses fundamental analysis and quantitative models in buying and selling investments for the Fund.
Effective on and after May 20, 2019:
Variable Portfolio - Partners Core Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Prospectus 2019 A-15

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities. Equity securities include, for example, common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments.
Fundamental analysis and quantitative models are utilized in buying and selling investments for the Fund.
CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund
CTIVP ® - MFS ® Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund’s assets are invested primarily in equity securities. The Fund invests primarily in the stocks of companies that are believed to be undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies). Value companies tend to have stock prices that are low relative to their earnings, dividends, assets, or other financial measures.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and depositary receipts for such securities. While the Fund may invest its assets in companies of any size, the Fund generally focuses on large-capitalization companies. Large-capitalization companies are defined by the Fund as those companies with market capitalizations of at least $5 billion at the time of purchase.
CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
CTIVP ® - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund has exposure to equity securities. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks, rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and limited partnership interests. While the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund primarily focuses on large capitalization companies that fall within the range of the Russell 1000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $914.9 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in foreign investments, including emerging market investments. The Fund may invest directly in foreign securities or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary and information technology and technology-related sectors. The Fund typically employs a focused portfolio investing style, which results in fewer holdings than a fund that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a greater number of issuers.
CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (effective May 20, 2019 known as CTIVP ® – William Blair International Leaders Fund)
Effective May 1, 2019 to May 19, 2019:
CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund’s assets are primarily invested in equity securities of foreign issuers as well as depositary receipts. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities convertible into common stock. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in companies located in at least three countries outside the U.S. From time to time
A-16 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
it may place greater emphasis on investing in one or more particular regions such as Asia, Europe or Latin America. The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities that provide exposure to emerging markets. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will emphasize investments in issuers that the portfolio managers consider to be “growth” companies.
Effective on and after May 20, 2019:
CTIVP ® – William Blair International Leaders Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
The Fund’s assets are primarily invested in equity securities of foreign issuers as well as depositary receipts. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities convertible into common stock. Generally, the Fund anticipates holding between 40 and 70 securities in its portfolio; however, the Fund may hold, at any time, more or fewer securities than noted in this range. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities that provide exposure to emerging markets. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers of any size, including small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies, that are considered by the management team to be leaders in their country, industry or globally in terms of products, services or execution. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary, financial services, industrials, and information technology and technology-related sectors. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will emphasize investments in issuers that the portfolio managers consider to be “growth” companies.
CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
CTIVP ® - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with total return through current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities, including debt securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, debt securities issued by corporations, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, dollar-denominated securities issued by foreign governments, companies or other entities, bank loans and other obligations. Other obligations include any other security or instrument in which there is a requirement or obligation to repay money borrowed. For purposes of its 80% test, the Fund treats investment in loans as “debt securities,” even though loans may not be “securities” under certain of the federal securities laws. The Fund invests at least 60% of its net assets in debt securities that, at the time of purchase, are rated in at least one of the three highest rating categories or are unrated securities determined to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in debt instruments that, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade or are unrated but determined to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “high-yield” investments or “junk” bonds). The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any maturity and does not seek to maintain a particular dollar-weighted average maturity or duration at the Fund level.
Up to 25% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments (including in emerging markets), which may include investments of up to 20% of the Fund’s assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. In connection with its strategy relating to foreign investments, the Fund may buy or sell foreign currencies in lieu of or in addition to non-dollar denominated fixed-income securities in order to increase or decrease its exposure to foreign interest rate and/or currency markets.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as forward contracts (including forward foreign currency contracts) and futures contracts (including interest rate futures) for hedging purposes and to manage duration of the Fund.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. Such securities may include mortgage-backed securities acquired or sold in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and those in a dollar roll transaction.
Prospectus 2019 A-17

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may also hold/invest in cash, money market instruments (which may include investments in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or similar vehicles) or other high-quality, short-term investments, including for the purpose of covering its obligations with respect to, or that may result from, the Fund’s investments in derivatives.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital and income.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity securities of large-capitalization companies. These companies have market capitalizations in the range of companies in the Russell 1000 ® Value Index (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $254.0 million and $914.5 billion as of March 31, 2019). The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through depositary receipts. The Fund’s subadviser seeks to identify companies that appear to be undervalued by various measures, and may be temporarily out of favor, but, in the opinion of the subadviser, have good prospects for capital appreciation. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. For these purposes, the Fund considers mid-cap companies to be those whose market capitalization falls within the range of the Russell Midcap ® Value Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $254.0 million to $39.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts. As a result of the bottom-up stock selection process, Victory Capital Management Inc. from time to time may find more compelling investment opportunities in certain economic sectors, such as the financial services sector.
CTIVP ® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
CTIVP ® - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with current income consistent with capital preservation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in U.S. Government obligations, including debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies or government-sponsored entities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets within non-government mortgage and asset-backed securities.
In pursuit of its objective, the Fund will purchase only securities that are rated, at the time of purchase, within the two highest rating categories assigned by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization, or if deemed to be of comparable quality. As part of the Fund’s investment strategy, it may invest in stripped securities (securities that have been transformed from a principal amount with periodic interest coupons into a series of zero-coupon bonds, with the range of maturities matching the coupon payment dates and the redemption date of the principal amount) or
A-18 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
enter into mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, the Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies, and to a lesser extent, other securities rated AA- or Aa3 that the Fund’s subadviser believes will sufficiently outperform U.S. Treasuries. Generally, the portfolio’s overall dollar-weighted average effective duration is less than that of a 3-year U.S. Treasury note.
The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments that are purchased and sold pursuant to Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to liquidity determinations and certain regulatory restrictions.
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as futures contracts (including interest rate futures), to hedge interest rate exposure of the Fund.
The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities.
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies. The Fund defines mid-capitalization companies as those companies with a market capitalization that falls within the range of the companies that comprise the Russell Midcap ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $587.5 million to $44.6 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund
Variable Portfolio - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in equity securities.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 75% of its total assets in foreign companies in developed markets (for example, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom) and in emerging markets (for example, China, India and Brazil). The Fund may invest in depository receipts.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and midsized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. However, if the Fund’s investments in such companies represent less than a majority of its net assets, the Fund may continue to hold and to make additional investments in an existing company in its portfolio even if that company’s capitalization has grown to exceed $5 billion. Under normal circumstances, the Fund may invest in companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion at the time of initial investment, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of its net assets would be invested in companies whose market capitalizations were under $5 billion at the time of initial investment. From time to time, the Fund may focus its investments in certain countries or geographic areas, including the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the consumer discretionary sector and the industrials sector.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund
Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income while conserving the value of the investment for the longest period of time.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds and other debt securities. The Fund invests primarily in securities like those included in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which are investment grade and denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index includes securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements, as well as invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities of foreign issuers.
Prospectus 2019 A-19

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix A (continued)
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in the equity securities of small-capitalization companies. Small-capitalization companies are defined as those companies with a market capitalization, at the time of purchase, of up to $2.5 billion, or that fall within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index (the Index). The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $8.3 million to $8.8 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the health care sector, industrials sector, and the information technology and technology-related sectors.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Each subadviser employs an active investment strategy. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Variable Portfolio - Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in small cap companies. For these purposes, small cap companies are those that have a market capitalization, at the time of investment, that falls within the range of the Russell 2000 ® Value Index (the Index) or up to $2.5 billion, whichever is greater. The Fund may buy and hold stock in a company that is not included in the Index. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $24.6 million to $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2019. The market capitalization range and composition of the companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in any type of security, including common stocks and depositary receipts.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may from time to time emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financial services sector.
Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Each of the subadvisers employs an active investment strategy that focuses on small cap companies in an attempt to take advantage of what are believed to be undervalued securities. One or more of the Fund’s subadvisers uses quantitative methods to identify investment opportunities and construct their portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
A-20 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B
Underlying Funds — Principal Risks
The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to its allocation among the Underlying Funds and the ability of the Underlying Funds to meet their investment objectives, as well as the investment performance of the Fund’s other investments.  The following is a brief description of certain of the principal risks associated with investment in the Underlying Funds in which the Fund may invest as part of its principal investment strategies.  The Fund is subject indirectly to these risks through its investments in the Underlying Funds, and is also subject directly to certain of these risks to the extent it invests in individual securities and other instruments, as described in Principal Risks above. Additional information regarding the principal risks associated with investment in the Underlying Funds is available in the applicable Underlying Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.  This prospectus is not an offer for any of the Underlying Funds.
The references in each case to the “Fund” within each of the below risk descriptions in this Appendix B refers to the Underlying Fund(s) that the Fund may invest in.
Active Management Risk. Certain Funds are actively managed by their portfolio managers. Certain other Funds are managed based primarily on quantitative methods, with the portfolio managers conducting a qualitative review of the quantitative output. In either case, the Funds could underperform their benchmark indices and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of the Fund's asset-backed securities may be affected by, among other things, changes in interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the receivables, the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements, or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Most asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of asset-backed securities, resulting in valuations that are volatile and sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Closed-End Investment Company Risk. Closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their NAV, which may affect whether the Fund will realize gain or loss upon its sale of the closed-end investment company’s shares. Closed-end investment companies may employ leverage, which also subjects the closed-end investment company to increased risks such as increased volatility.
Confidential Information Access Risk. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of material, non-public information (Confidential Information) about the issuers of floating rate loans (including from the issuer itself) being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information may disadvantage the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk. The Fund may also be forced to convert a convertible security at an inopportune time, which may decrease the Fund’s return.
Correlation/Tracking Error Risk. The Fund’s value will generally decline when the performance of the Index declines. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. The factors that may adversely affect the Fund’s correlation with the Index include, among others, the size of the Fund’s portfolio, fees, expenses, transaction costs, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards, the effectiveness of sampling techniques (if applicable), changes in the Index and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests. Funds that typically use a “full replication” approach in seeking to track the performance of their Index,
Prospectus 2019 B-1

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
which means they invest all, or substantially all, of their assets in the components of the Index in approximately the same proportion as their weighting in the Index. At times, these “full replication” Funds may not have investment exposure to all components of the Index, or their weighting of investment exposure to such components may be different from that of the Index. Funds that typically use a “representative sampling” approach in seeking to track the performance of their Index, which is an indexing strategy that involves investing in only some of the components of the Index that collectively are believed to have an investment profile similar to that of the Index, may not track the Index with the same degree of accuracy as would an investment vehicle replicating the entire Index. In addition, both full replication and representative sampling Funds may invest in securities or other instruments not included in the Index. The Fund may take or refrain from taking investment positions for various reasons, such as tax efficiency purposes, or to comply with regulatory restrictions, which may negatively affect the Fund’s correlation with the Index. The Fund may also be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to certain components of the Index and may be impacted by Index reconstitutions and Index rebalancing events. Holding cash balances may detract from the Fund’s ability to track the Index. In addition, the Fund’s NAV may deviate from the Index if the Fund fair values a portfolio security at a price other than the price used by the Index for that security. The Fund also bears management and other expenses and transaction costs in trading securities or other instruments, which the Index does not bear. Accordingly, the Fund’s performance will likely fail to match the performance of the Index, after taking expenses into account. Any of these factors could decrease correlation between the performance of the Fund and the Index and may hinder the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle invested in by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations. As a result, the Fund may obtain no or limited recovery of its investment, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
B-2 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated and can experience lengthy periods of illiquidity, unusually high trading volume and other negative impacts, such as political intervention, which may result in volatility or disruptions in such markets. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants
Prospectus 2019 B-3

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. The Fund's losses could be significant, and are potentially unlimited for certain types of options. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. Structured investments may create economic leverage which may increase the volatility of the value of the investment. Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
B-4 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frequent Trading Risk.  The portfolio managers may actively and frequently trade investments in the Fund's portfolio to carry out its investment strategies. Frequent trading can mean higher brokerage and other transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's return. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than traditional emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to the risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. Increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed
Prospectus 2019 B-5

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist and similar measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Asia Pacific Region. Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific region are considered underdeveloped or developing, including from a political, economic and/or social perspective, and may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on limited business, industries and/or natural resources or commodities. Events in any one country within the region may impact other countries in the region or the region as a whole. As a result, events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified. This could result in increased volatility in the value of the Fund’s investments and losses for the Fund. Also, securities of some companies in the region can be less liquid than U.S. or other foreign securities, potentially making it difficult for the Fund to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on the United Kingdom (UK) and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Greater China. The Greater China region consists of Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China and Taiwan, among other countries, and the Fund's investments in the region are particularly susceptible to risks in that region. Adverse events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries in the region or Asia as a whole. As a result, adverse events in the region will generally have a greater effect on the Fund than if the Fund were more geographically diversified, which could result in greater volatility in the Fund’s NAV and losses. Markets in the Greater China region can experience significant volatility due to social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties.
Japan. The Fund is highly susceptible to the social, political, economic, regulatory and other conditions or events that may affect Japan’s economy. The Japanese economy is heavily dependent upon international trade, including, among other things, the export of finished goods and the import of oil and other commodities and raw materials. Because of its trade dependence, the Japanese economy is particularly exposed to the risks of currency fluctuation, foreign trade policy and regional and global economic disruption. Japanese government policy has been characterized by economic regulation, intervention, protectionism and large government deficits. The Japanese economy is also challenged by an unstable financial services sector, highly leveraged corporate balance sheets and extensive cross-ownership among major corporations. Structural social and labor market changes, including an aging workforce, population decline and traditional aversion to labor mobility may adversely affect Japan’s economic competitiveness and growth potential. The potential for natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons and tsunamis, could also have significant negative effects on Japan’s economy. As a result of the Fund’s investment in Japanese securities, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Japan fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in Japan.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
B-6 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may include highly leveraged transactions whereby the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Industry Concentration Risk.  Investments that are concentrated in a particular industry will make the Fund’s portfolio value more susceptible to the events or conditions impacting that particular industry. Because the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in money market instruments issued by banks, the value of the Fund may be adversely affected by economic, political or regulatory developments in or that impact the banking industry.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation). In general, the price of such securities falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on these securities will vary and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk. Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Investing in Other Funds Risk. The Fund’s investment in other funds (affiliated and/or unaffiliated funds, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) subjects the Fund to the investment performance (positive or negative) and risks of the underlying funds in direct proportion to the Fund’s investment therein. In addition, investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. The performance of the underlying funds could be adversely affected if other investors in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying fund being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the underlying funds could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying funds. The
Prospectus 2019 B-7

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated underlying funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund.  The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated underlying funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in other underlying funds, including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if an appropriate alternate underlying fund is not identified in a timely manner or at all. The underlying funds may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in underlying funds, may not achieve its investment objective.
Investment Strategy Risk. There is no assurance that the Fund’s predicted tracking error will equal its target predicted tracking error at any point in time or consistently for any period of time, or that the Fund’s predicted tracking error and actual tracking error will be similar. The Fund's strategy to target a predicted tracking error of approximately 2% compared to an index that represents the Fund’s investment universe and to blend fundamental and quantitative research may not produce the intended results. In addition, fundamental research may not be available for all issuers.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment, which means that when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, the Fund could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers, willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments
B-8 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. Certain types of investments, such as lower-rated securities or those that are purchased and sold in over-the-counter markets, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other liquid or more liquid investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold (thereby increasing the proportion of the Fund’s investments in less liquid or illiquid securities), or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market. Foreign securities can present enhanced liquidity risks, including as a result of less developed custody, settlement or other practices of foreign markets.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, and the Fund, to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, may need to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. The Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Prospectus 2019 B-9

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Investors have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. Investments are also subject to certain tax risks and conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership.
Momentum Style Risk. Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Money Market Fund Risk (For Columbia Variable Portfolio - Government Money Market Fund) . Although government money market funds (such as the Fund) may seek to preserve the value of shareholders’ investment at $1.00 per share, the NAVs of such money market fund shares can fall, and in infrequent cases in the past have fallen, below $1.00 per share, potentially causing shareholders who redeem their shares at such NAVs to lose money from their original investment.
At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund and cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. Additionally, in some cases, the default of a single portfolio security could cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
Money Market Fund Risk (For Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund) . At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
B-10 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
If, at any time, the Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 30% of its total assets and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund, the Fund may, as early as the same day and at any time during the day, impose a fee of up to 2% of the value of all shares redeemed and/or temporarily suspend redemptions (sometimes referred to as imposing redemption gates) for up to 10 business days. If, at the end of any business day, the Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below 10% of its total assets, the Fund must impose a fee, as of the beginning of the next business day, of 1% of the value of all shares redeemed, unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee is not in the best interests of the Fund or the Board determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2% of the value of all shares redeemed) would be in the best interests of the Fund. These determinations may affect the composition of the investment portfolio, performance and operating expenses of the Fund.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
New Fund Risk. Investors in newly formed funds bear the risk that the fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk.  The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it will invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not “actively” managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments related to its underlying index. The Fund invests in securities or instruments included in, or believed by the Investment Manager to be representative of, its underlying index, regardless of their investment merits. The Fund does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or
Prospectus 2019 B-11

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Model Risk. Investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective or that the models will perform as expected.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Repurchase Agreements  Risk. Repurchase agreements are agreements in which the seller of a security to the Fund agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Repurchase agreements carry the risk that the counterparty may not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. This could cause the Fund's income and the value of your investment in the Fund to decline.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk (the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested). Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
B-12 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk. The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Energy Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the energy sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Financial Services Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Health Care Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the health care sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical
Prospectus 2019 B-13

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.
Industrials Sector. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Information Technology and Technology-Related Sectors. The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Short Positions Risk. The Fund may establish short positions which introduce more risk to the Fund than long positions (where the Fund owns the instrument or other asset) because the maximum sustainable loss on an instrument or other asset purchased (held long) is limited to the amount paid for the instrument or other asset plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum price of the shorted instrument or other asset when purchased in the open market. Therefore, in theory, short positions have unlimited risk. The Fund’s use of short positions in effect “leverages” the Fund. Leverage potentially exposes the Fund to greater risks of loss due to unanticipated market movements, which may magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns. To the extent the Fund takes a short position in a derivative instrument or other asset, this involves the risk of a potentially unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument or other asset.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
B-14 Prospectus 2019

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
Appendix B (continued)
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receive differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. The cash flows and yields on IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. A rapid rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of IOs. A slow rate of principal payments may adversely affect the yield to maturity of POs. If prepayments of principal are greater than anticipated, an investor in IOs may incur substantial losses. If prepayments of principal are slower than anticipated, the yield on a PO will be affected more severely than would be the case with a traditional mortgage-backed security.
Stripped Securities Risk. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal components of debt securities. These securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, and therefore subject to greater fluctuations in price than typical interest bearing debt securities.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet portfolio management’s perceived value assessment of that security, or may decline in price, even though portfolio management believes the securities are already undervalued. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to portfolio management’s perceived value. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and are subject to liquidity risk which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares below the current market price. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds are bonds that do not pay interest in cash on a current basis, but instead accrue interest over the life of the bond. As a result, these securities are issued at a discount and their values may fluctuate more than the values of similar securities that pay interest periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to maturity, interest accrued on these securities is reported as income to the Fund and affects the amounts distributed to its shareholders, which may cause the Fund to sell investments to obtain cash to make income distributions to shareholders, including at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.
Prospectus 2019 B-15

 

Table of Contents
Variable Portfolio Funds
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
For More Information
The Funds are generally available only to owners of Contracts issued by participating insurance companies. Please refer to your Contract prospectus for information about how to buy, sell and transfer shares of the Fund.
Additional Information About the Funds
Additional information about each Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Funds and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Funds as follows:
By Mail:   Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
By Telephone: 800.345.6611
Online: columbiathreadneedleus.com
Reports and other information about the Funds are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of each Trust of which a Fund is a series, is:
    
Funds Trust Investment company
registration number
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk Fund Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust 811-05199
Variable Portfolio – Managed Risk U.S. Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Conservative Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II 811-22127
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2019 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
800.345.6611
PRO400_AR_(05/19)


Table of Contents
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
May 1, 2019
Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Balanced Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund*: single class of shares
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
CTIVP ® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Variable Portfolio – Aggressive Portfolio: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 4
Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 4
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Variable Portfolio – Moderate Portfolio: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 4
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 4
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Conservative Portfolio: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 4
Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund: Class 1 & Class 2
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3
* This Fund is closed to new investors.

 

Each Fund may offer shares to separate accounts (Separate Accounts) funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Funds’ distributor (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Funds.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references herein to “each Fund,” “the Fund,” “a Fund,” “the Funds” or “Funds” refers to each Fund listed above.
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus, is not a substitute for reading any prospectus and is intended to be read in conjunction with each Fund’s current prospectus dated the same date as this SAI. The most recent annual report for each Fund (as applicable), which includes the Fund’s audited financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2018, is incorporated by reference into this SAI.
Copies of the Funds' current prospectuses and annual and semiannual reports (once available, as applicable) may be obtained without charge by writing Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 219104, Kansas City, MO 64121-9104, by calling Columbia Funds at 800.345.6611, by contacting the applicable Participating Insurance Company or sponsor of a qualified pension or retirement plan (Qualified Plan), or by contacting the broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries offering certain variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies issued by the Participating Insurance Company through which shares of the Funds are available.

 

Table of Contents
    

2

8

12

20

20

56

85

85

86

88

88

113

128

141

143

144

146

147

148

153

153

154

157

157

167

172

172

175

177

179

184

184

184

185

193

194

196

196

197

199

199

200

202

211

234

A-1

B-1
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 1

 

Table of Contents
SAI PRIMER
The SAI is a part of the Funds' registration statement that is filed with the SEC. The registration statement includes the Funds' prospectuses, the SAI and certain exhibits. The SAI, and any supplements to it, can be found online by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
For purposes of any electronic version of this SAI, all references to websites or universal resource locators (URLs), are intended to be inactive and are not meant to incorporate the contents of any such website or URL into this SAI.
The SAI generally provides additional information about the Funds that is not required to be in the Funds' prospectuses. The SAI expands discussions of certain matters described in the Funds' prospectuses and provides certain additional information about the Funds that may be of interest to some investors. Among other things, the SAI provides information about:
the organization of the Trust;
the Funds' investments;
the Funds' investment adviser, investment subadviser(s) (if any) and other service providers, including roles and relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, and conflicts of interest;
the governance of the Funds;
the Funds' brokerage practices;
the share classes offered by the Funds;
the purchase, redemption and pricing of Fund shares; and
the application of U.S. federal income tax laws.
Investors may find this information important and helpful. If you have any questions about the Funds, please call Columbia Funds at 800.345.6611 or contact your financial advisor.
Throughout this SAI, the term “financial intermediary” may refer, generally, to one or more of the selling agents and/or servicing agents that are authorized to sell and/or service shares of the Funds, which may include broker-dealers and financial advisors as well as firms that employ such broker-dealers and financial advisors, including, for example, brokerage firms, banks, investment advisers, third party administrators and other financial intermediaries, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
Before reading the SAI, you should consult the prospectus for the Fund as well as the Glossary below, which defines certain of the terms used in the SAI. Terms not defined in the Glossary below generally have the same meaning as otherwise ascribed in a Fund’s prospectus.
Glossary
1933 Act Securities Act of 1933, as amended
1934 Act Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
1940 Act Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
Administrative Services Agreement The Administrative Services Agreement, as amended, if applicable, between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Investment Manager
American Century American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
AQR AQR Capital Management, LLC
Barrow Hanley Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC
BlackRock BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BIL BlackRock International Limited, an affiliate of BlackRock
BMO BMO Asset Management Corp.
Board The Trust’s Board of Trustees
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 2

 

Table of Contents
Business Day Any day on which the NYSE is open for business. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund's NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund's assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
CEA Commodity Exchange Act
    
CenterSquare CenterSquare Investment Management LLC
CFTC The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CFVST II Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II
CMOs Collateralized mortgage obligations
Code Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Codes of Ethics The codes of ethics adopted by the Funds, the Investment Manager, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and/or any sub-adviser, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act
Columbia Funds or Columbia Funds Complex The fund complex, including the Funds, that is comprised of the registered investment companies, including traditional mutual funds, closed-end funds, and ETFs, advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates
Columbia Management Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
    
Columbia WAM Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
Custodian JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Denver Investments Denver Investment Advisors LLC
DFA Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
Distribution Agreement The Distribution Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of its Funds, and the Distributor
Distribution Plan(s) One or more of the plans adopted by the Board pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the distribution of the Funds’ shares
Distributor Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
Donald Smith Donald Smith & Co., Inc.
DST DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FHLMC The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Fitch Fitch, Inc.
FNMA Federal National Mortgage Association
The Fund(s) or a Fund One or more of the open-end management investment companies listed on the front cover of this SAI
GNMA Government National Mortgage Association
Holland Holland Capital Management LLC
Independent Trustees The Trustees of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds
Interested Trustee The Trustee of the Board who is currently deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 3

 

Table of Contents
Invesco Invesco Advisers, Inc.
Investment Management Services Agreement The Investment Management Services Agreements, as amended, if applicable, between the Trust, on behalf of its Funds, and the Investment Manager
Investment Manager Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
IRS United States Internal Revenue Service
Jacobs Levy Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc.
Jennison Jennison Associates LLC
JPMIM J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
JPMorgan JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Funds' custodian
Kennedy Kennedy Capital Management, Inc.
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate*
Loomis Sayles Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.
Los Angeles Capital Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc.
MFS Massachusetts Financial Services Company
Management Agreement The Management Agreements, as amended, if applicable, between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Investment Manager
Moody’s Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MSIM Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
NASDAQ National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations system
Nations Funds The Funds within the Columbia Funds Complex that historically bore the Nations brand
NAV Net asset value per share of a Fund
NFJ NFJ Investment Group LLC
NRSRO Nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (such as, for example, Moody’s, Fitch or S&P)
NSCC National Securities Clearing Corporation
NYSE New York Stock Exchange
Nuveen Asset Management Nuveen Asset Management, LLC
Oppenheimer OppenheimerFunds Inc.
Palisade Palisade Capital Management LLC
Participating Insurance Companies Life insurance companies that issue the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies through separate accounts for which the Funds serve as underlying investment vehicles
Pyramis FIAM LLC (doing business as Pyramis Global Advisors)
PwC PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
REIT Real estate investment trust
REMIC Real estate mortgage investment conduit
RIC A “regulated investment company,” as such term is used in the Code
River Road River Road Asset Management, LLC
RiverSource Funds The Funds within the Columbia Funds Complex that historically bore the RiverSource brand and includes series of CFVST II
S&P Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard & Poor’s” and “S&P” are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by the Investment Manager. The Columbia Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s and Standard & Poor’s makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Columbia Funds)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 4

 

SAI This Statement of Additional Information, as amended and supplemented from time-to-time
SBH Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC
SEC United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Shareholder Services Agreement The Shareholder Services Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of its Funds, and the Transfer Agent
Shares Shares of a Fund
Sit Investment Sit Investment Associates, Inc.
Snow Capital Snow Capital Management, L.P.
Subadvisory Agreement The Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust on behalf of the Fund(s), the Investment Manager and a Fund’s investment subadviser(s), as the context may require
Subsidiary One or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of a Fund
T. Rowe Price T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
TCW TCW Investment Management Company LLC
The London Company The London Company of Virginia, LLC
Threadneedle Threadneedle International Limited
Transfer Agent Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
Treasury Regulations Regulations promulgated under the Code by the United States Treasury Department
Trustee(s) One or more members of the Board
Trust Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, the registered investment company in the Columbia Funds Complex to which this SAI relates
VA Contracts Variable annuity contracts
Victory Capital Victory Capital Management Inc.
VLI Policy(ies) Variable life insurance policy(ies)
VP – Managed Volatility Funds Any variable portfolio fund that includes the words “Managed Risk,” “Managed Volatility,” or “U.S. Flexible” as part of the Fund’s name
VP – Portfolio Navigator Funds VP – Aggressive Portfolio, VP – Conservative Portfolio, VP – Moderate Portfolio, VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio and VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio
WellsCap Wells Capital Management Incorporated
Westfield Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P.
Winslow Capital Winslow Capital Management LLC
* On July 27, 2017, the head of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 5

 

Throughout this SAI, the Funds are referred to as follows:
Fund Name:   Referred to as:
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Balanced Fund   VP – Balanced Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund   VP – Commodity Strategy Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund   VP – Core Equity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund   VP – Disciplined Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund   VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund   VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund   VP – Emerging Markets Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund   VP – Global Strategic Income Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund   VP – Government Money Market Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund   VP – High Yield Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund   VP – Income Opportunities Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund   VP – Intermediate Bond Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund   VP – Large Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund   VP – Large Cap Index Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund   VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund   VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund   VP – Overseas Core Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund   VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Value Fund   VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Mid Cap Value Fund   VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Small Cap Value Fund   VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund   VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund   VP – U.S. Equities Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund   VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund
CTIVP ® – American Century Diversified Bond Fund   VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
CTIVP ® – AQR International Core Equity Fund   VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund
CTIVP ® – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund   VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected
Securities Fund
CTIVP ® – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund   VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
CTIVP ® – DFA International Value Fund   VP – DFA International Value Fund
CTIVP ® – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund   VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
CTIVP ® – Los Angeles Large Cap Growth Fund   VP – Los Angeles Large Cap Growth Fund
CTIVP ® – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund   VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund
CTIVP ® – MFS ® Value Fund   VP – MFS Value Fund
CTIVP ® – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund   VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
CTIVP ® – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund   VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
CTIVP ® – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund   VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
CTIVP ® – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund   VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
CTIVP ® – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund   VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
CTIVP ® – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund   VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
CTIVP ® – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund   VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Aggressive Portfolio   VP – Aggressive Portfolio
Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund   VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 6

 

Fund Name:   Referred to as:
Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio   VP – Conservative Portfolio
Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund   VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Moderate Portfolio   VP – Moderate Portfolio
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio   VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
Variable Portfolio – Moderately Conservative Portfolio   VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio
Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund   VP – Partners Core Bond Fund
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund   VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund   VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 7

 

ABOUT THE Trust
The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act with an address at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on September 11, 2007. The Trust was formerly named RiverSource Variable Series Trust, and was renamed Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II as of April 25, 2011. The offering of the shares is registered under the 1933 Act.
Each Fund has a fiscal year end of December 31. Each Fund’s prospectus is dated May 1, 2019.
Fund Date Began Operations* Diversified** Fund Investment Category***
VP – Aggressive Portfolio May 7, 2010 Yes Fund-of-funds – Equity
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Fixed Income
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Balanced Fund April 30, 1986 Yes Flexible
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund September 13, 2004 No Fixed Income
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund April 30, 2013 Yes Equity
VP – Conservative Portfolio May 7, 2010 Yes Fund-of-funds – Fixed Income
VP – Core Equity Fund September 10, 2004 Yes Equity
VP – DFA International Value Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Disciplined Core Fund October 13, 1981 Yes Equity
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund September 15, 1999 Yes Equity
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund April 30, 2012 No Fixed Income
VP – Emerging Markets Fund May 1, 2000 Yes Equity
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund May 1, 1996 No Fixed Income
VP – Government Money Market Fund October 31, 1981 Yes Money Market
VP – High Yield Bond Fund May 1, 1996 Yes Fixed Income
VP – Income Opportunities Fund June 1, 2004 Yes Fixed Income
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund October 13, 1981 Yes Fixed Income
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund September 15, 1999 Yes Equity
VP – Large Cap Index Fund May 1, 2000 Yes Equity
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Fixed Income
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund April 19, 2012 Yes Fund-of-funds – Equity
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund May 1, 2006 Yes Equity
VP – MFS Value Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund May 1, 2001 Yes Equity
VP – Moderate Portfolio May 7, 2010 Yes Fund-of-funds – Equity
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio May 7, 2010 Yes Fund-of-funds – Equity
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 8

 

Fund Date Began Operations* Diversified** Fund Investment Category***
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio May 7, 2010 Yes Fund-of-funds – Fixed Income
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Overseas Core Fund January 13, 1992 Yes Equity
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Fixed Income
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund August 14, 2001 Yes Equity
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund January 4, 2018 Yes Equity
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund February 4, 2004 Yes Equity
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund May 2, 2005 Yes Equity
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund September 15, 1999 Yes Equity
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund May 1, 1996 No Equity
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Fixed Income
VP – U.S. Equities Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund September 15, 1999 Yes Fixed Income
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund February 4, 2004 Yes Equity
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Fixed Income
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund May 7, 2010 Yes Equity
* Certain Funds reorganized into series of the Trust. The date of operations for these Funds represents the date on which the predecessor funds began operation.
** A “diversified” Fund may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer or purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and except securities of other investment companies. A “non-diversified” Fund may invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund, which increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a “diversified” fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, a “non-diversified” Fund’s value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
*** The Fund Investment Category is used as a convenient way to describe Funds in this SAI and should not be deemed a description of the Fund’s principal investment strategies, which are described in the Fund’s prospectus.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 9

 

Name Changes. The table below identifies the Funds whose names have changed in the past five years, the effective date of the name change and the former name.
Fund Effective Date of
Name Change
Previous Fund Name
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – American Century Diversified Bond Fund
VP – AQR International Core Equity May 21, 2018 CTIVP ® – Pyramis ® International Equity Fund
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund May 1, 2018
June 1, 2016
Variable Portfolio – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund
Variable Portfolio – Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund
VP – DFA International Value Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – DFA International Value Fund
VP – Disciplined Core Fund May 1, 2016
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Core Quantitative Fund
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund November 26, 2018 Columbia Variable Portfolio - Global Bond Fund
VP – Government Money Market Fund May 1, 2016 Columbia Variable Portfolio – Cash Management Fund
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund May 1, 2015 Columbia Variable Portfolio – Diversified Bond Fund
VP – Large Cap Index Fund May 1, 2015 Columbia Variable Portfolio – S&P 500 Index Fund
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund May 1, 2018
May 1, 2017
Variable Portfolio – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Nuveen Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund May 1,2018
May 1, 2016
Variable Portfolio – MFS Blended Research® Core Equity Fund
Variable Portfolio – Sit Dividend Growth Fund
VP – MFS Value Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – MFS Value Fund
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund May 1, 2015
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Opportunity Fund
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund May 1, 2018
May 1, 2016
Variable Portfolio – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund
Variable Portfolio – Holland Large Cap Growth Fund
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund May 1, 2018 Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund May 1, 2018
May 1, 2016
Variable Portfolio – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Invesco International Growth Fund
VP – Overseas Core Fund May 1, 2018
May 1, 2015
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select International Equity Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – International Opportunity Fund
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund May 1, 2017 Variable Portfolio – J.P. Morgan Core Bond Fund
VP – Pyramis International Equity Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – Pyramis International Equity Fund
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund May 1, 2019 Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large-Cap Value Fund
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund May 1, 2019
May 1, 2015
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Opportunity Fund
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund May 1, 2019 Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 10

 

Fund Effective Date of
Name Change
Previous Fund Name
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund May 1, 2018
November 14, 2016
Variable Portfolio – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund
Variable Portfolio – NFJ Dividend Value Fund
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund
VP – U.S. Equities Fund May 1, 2015 Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger U.S. Equities Fund
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund May 1, 2013 Columbia Variable Portfolio – Short Duration U.S. Government Fund
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund May 1, 2018
May 1, 2016
Variable Portfolio – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund
Variable Portfolio – Victory Established Value Fund
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund May 1, 2018 Variable Portfolio – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund May 1, 2018
September 18, 2017
Variable Portfolio – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund
Variable Portfolio – Jennison Mid Cap Growth Fund
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 11

 

FUNDAMENTAL AND NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following discussion of “fundamental” and “non-fundamental” investment policies and limitations for each Fund supplements the discussion of investment policies in the Funds' prospectuses. A fundamental policy may be changed only with Board and shareholder approval. A non-fundamental policy may be changed only with Board approval and does not require shareholder approval.
Unless otherwise noted in a Fund’s prospectus or this SAI, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of a Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with such percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund’s acquisition of such security or asset (Time of Purchase Standard). Thus, a Fund may continue to hold a security even though it causes the Fund to exceed a percentage limitation because of fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s assets.
Notwithstanding any of a Fund’s other investment policies, the Fund, subject to certain limitations, may invest its assets in another investment company. These underlying funds have adopted their own investment policies that may be more or less restrictive than those of the Fund. Unless a Fund has a policy to consider the policies of underlying funds, the Fund may engage in investment strategies indirectly that would otherwise be prohibited under the Fund’s investment policies.
In adhering to the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions and policies applicable to VP – Commodity Strategy Fund, the Fund will, to the extent possible, treat any assets of its Subsidiary generally as if the assets were held directly by the Fund.
For all Funds except VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund: Notwithstanding any of a Fund’s other investment policies, the Fund may invest its assets in an open-end management investment company having substantially the same investment objectives, policies, and restrictions as the Fund for the purpose of having those assets managed as part of a combined pool.
Notwithstanding the policies set forth in this SAI for VP Government Money Market Fund, the Fund will comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act (Rule 2a-7).
Fundamental Policies
The table below shows Fund-specific policies that may be changed only with a “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund, which means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. The table indicates whether or not a fund has a policy on a particular topic. A dash indicates that the Fund does not have a Fundamental policy on a particular topic. The specific policy is stated in the paragraphs that follow the table.
Fund A
Buy or
sell real
estate
B
Buy or sell
commodities
C
Issuer Diversification
D
Lending
E
Act as an
underwriter
F
Borrow
money
G
Issue
Senior
Securities
H
Concentration
VP – Aggressive Portfolio A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Balanced Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund A1 B1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H4
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund A1 B6 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H5
VP – Conservative Portfolio A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Core Equity Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – DFA International Value Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Disciplined Core Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Emerging Markets Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund A1 B5 D1 E1 F1 G1 H3
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 12

 

Fund A
Buy or
sell real
estate
B
Buy or sell
commodities
C
Issuer Diversification
D
Lending
E
Act as an
underwriter
F
Borrow
money
G
Issue
Senior
Securities
H
Concentration
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund A1 B1 C4 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Government Money Market Fund A2 A2 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1
VP – High Yield Bond Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Income Opportunities Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Large Cap Index Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund A1 B1 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H6
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund A1 B2 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – MFS Value Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Moderate Portfolio A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Overseas Core Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund A1 B2 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund A4 B7 C3 D3 E3 F3 G1 H7
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund A1 B2 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund A3 B3 D2 E2 F2 F2 H2
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – U.S. Equities Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund A1 B2 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund A1 B4 C3 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
A. Buy or sell real estate
A1 – The Fund will not buy or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business or real estate investment trusts. For purposes of this policy, real estate includes real estate limited partnerships.
A2 – The Fund will not buy or sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts. For purposes of this policy, real estate includes real estate limited partnerships.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 13

 

A3 – The Fund will not purchase or hold any real estate, except the Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by persons (including real estate investment trusts) which deal in real estate or interests therein.
A4 – The Fund will not buy or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in: (i) securities or other instruments backed by real estate or interests in real estate, (ii) securities or other instruments of issuers or entities that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business, (iii) real estate investment trusts (REITs) or entities similar to REITs formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries or (iv) real estate or interests in real estate acquired through the exercise of its rights as a holder of securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
B. Buy or sell physical commodities
B1 – The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from buying or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
B2 – The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from buying or selling options, futures contracts and foreign currency or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
B3 – The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except to the extent permissible under applicable law and interpretations, as they may be amended from time to time.
B4 – The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the Fund from buying or selling options, futures contracts and foreign currency or from entering into forward currency contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
B5 – The Fund will not buy or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent the fund from transacting in derivative instruments relating to commodities, including but not limited to, buying or selling options, swap contracts or futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by, or whose value is derived from, commodities.
B6 – The Fund will not buy or sell commodities, except that the Fund may to the extent consistent with its investment objective(s), invest in securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or which invest in such programs, and purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts and enter into swap contracts and other financial transactions relating to commodities. This restriction does not apply to foreign currency transactions including without limitation forward currency contracts. This restriction also does not prevent the Fund from investing up to 25% of its total assets in one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries (as described further herein and referred to herein collectively as the “Subsidiary”), thereby gaining exposure to the investment returns of commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax requirements.*
B7 – The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

* For purposes of the fundamental investment policy on buying and selling physical commodities above, at the time of the establishment of the restriction for certain Funds, swap contracts on financial instruments or rates were not within the understanding of the term “commodities.” Notwithstanding any federal legislation or regulatory action by the CFTC that subjects such swaps to regulation by the CFTC, these Funds will not consider such instruments to be commodities for purposes of this restriction.
C. Issuer Diversification*
C1 – The Fund will not purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, except that up to 25% of the Fund’s assets may be invested without regard to this 10% limitation.
C2 – The Fund will not make any investment inconsistent with its classification as a diversified company under the 1940 Act.
C3 – The Fund will not purchase securities (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities) of any one issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets will be invested in the securities of such issuer or it would own more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer, except that: (a) up to 25% of its
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 14

 

  total assets may be invested without regard to these limitations; and (b) a Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of one or more management investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, or any applicable exemptive relief.
C4 – The Fund will not purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, except that up to 25% of the Fund’s assets may be invested without regard to this 10% limitation. For tax-exempt Funds, for purposes of this policy, the terms of a municipal security determine the issuer.

* For purposes of applying the limitation set forth in its issuer diversification policy above, a Fund does not consider futures or swaps central counterparties, where the Fund has exposure to such central counterparties in the course of making investments in futures and securities, to be issuers.
D. Lending
D1 – The Fund will not lend securities or participate in an interfund lending program if the total of all such loans would exceed 33  1 3 % of the Fund’s total assets, except this fundamental investment policy shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing money market securities, loans, loan participation or other debt securities, or from entering into repurchase agreements.
D2 – The Fund will not make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule thereunder, any SEC or SEC staff interpretations thereof or any exemptions therefrom which may be granted by the SEC.
D3 – The Fund will not make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
E. Act as an underwriter
E1 – The Fund will not act as an underwriter (sell securities for others). However, under the securities laws, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter when it purchases securities directly from the issuer and later resells them.
E2 – The Fund will not underwrite the securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in disposing of a portfolio security or in connection with investments in other investment companies.
E3 – The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities issued by other persons within the meaning of the 1933 Act except when it might be deemed to be an underwriter either: (i) in connection with the disposition of a portfolio security; or (ii) in connection with the purchase of securities directly from the issuer where the Fund later resells such securities. This restriction shall not limit the Fund’s ability to invest in securities issued by other registered investment companies.
F. Borrowing
F1 – The Fund will not borrow money, except for temporary purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not exceeding 33  1 3 % of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after the borrowings.
F2 – The Fund will not issue senior securities or borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule thereunder, any SEC or SEC staff interpretations thereof or any exceptions therefrom which may be granted by the SEC. For borrowing, the 1940 Act permits a fund to borrow up to 33  1 3 % of its total assets (including the amounts borrowed) from banks, plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, which may be borrowed from banks or other sources.
F3 – The Fund will not borrow money except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
G. Issue senior securities
G1 – The Fund will not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
H. Concentration*
H1 – The Fund will not concentrate in any one industry. According to the present interpretation by the SEC, this means that up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets, based on current market value at time of purchase, can be invested in any one industry.
H2 – The Fund will, under normal market conditions, invest at least 25% of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase in the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the technology and related group of industries, provided that: (i) there is no limitation with respect to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, any state or territory of the United States or any of their agencies, instrumentalities or political
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 15

 

  subdivisions; and (ii) notwithstanding this limitation or any other fundamental investment limitation, assets may be invested in the securities of one or more management investment companies or subsidiaries to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
H3 – While the Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of foreign governmental and corporate entities located in the same country, it will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single foreign governmental issuer.
H4 – The Fund will not invest more than 25% of the market value of its total assets in the securities of issuers in any particular industry, except the Fund will invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers principally engaged in the real estate industry and may invest without limit in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
H5 – The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of corporate issuers engaged in any one industry. The foregoing restriction does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or repurchase agreements secured by them. In addition, the foregoing restriction shall not apply to or limit the Fund’s counterparties in commodities-related transactions.
H6 – The Fund will not purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that: (i) there is no limitation with respect to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, any state or territory of the United States or any of their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; and (ii) notwithstanding this limitation or any other fundamental investment limitation, assets may be invested in the securities of one or more management investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
H7 – The Fund will not purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that: (i) there is no limitation with respect to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, any state or territory of the United States or any of their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; and (ii) notwithstanding this limitation or any other fundamental investment limitation, assets may be invested in the securities of one or more investment companies or subsidiaries to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

* For purposes of applying the limitation set forth in its concentration policy, above, a Fund will generally use the industry classifications provided by the Global Industry Classification System (GICS) for classification of issuers of equity securities and the classifications provided by the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index for classification of issues of fixed-income securities. A Fund does not consider futures or swaps clearinghouses or securities clearinghouses, where the Fund has exposure to such clearinghouses in the course of making investments in futures and securities, to be part of any industry.
In addition to the policies described above and any fundamental policy described in the prospectus:
Additionally for VP- Government Money Market Fund, the Fund will not:
Buy on margin or sell short or deal in options to buy or sell securities.
Purchase common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants, other equity securities, corporate bonds or debentures, state bonds, municipal bonds, or industrial revenue bonds.
Intentionally invest more than 25% of the Fund’s assets taken at market value in any particular industry, except with respect to investing in U.S. government or agency securities and bank obligations. Investments are varied according to what is judged advantageous under different economic conditions.
Additionally for VP-Seligman Global Technology, the Fund will not:
Purchase securities on margin except as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule thereunder, any Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or SEC staff interpretations thereof or any exemptions therefrom which may be granted by the SEC.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 16

 

Non-fundamental Policies
The following non-fundamental policies may be changed by the Board at any time and may be in addition to those described in the Funds' prospectus.
Investment in Illiquid Investments
For money market funds: No more than 5% of a money market fund’s total assets will be held in securities and other instruments that are illiquid. For purposes of this policy, an illiquid security is a security that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days at approximately the value ascribed to it by the Fund.
For any other fund: No Fund may acquire any illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets. For these purposes, an “illiquid investment” means any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.
Investment in Other Investment Companies
The Funds may not purchase securities of other investment companies except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.
Investment in Foreign Securities
For all funds EXCEPT Fund-of-funds, VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund, VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, VP – Commodity Strategy Fund, VP – DFA International Value Fund, VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund, VP – Emerging Markets Fund, VP – Global Strategic Income Fund, VP – Government Money Market Fund, VP – Large Cap Index Fund, VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund, VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund and VP – Overseas Core Fund:
Up to 25% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments.
For VP – Balanced Fund, VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund, VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund and VP – U.S. Equities Fund:
Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments.
For VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund:
Up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in foreign investments.
For VP - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund:
Up to 15% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign investments.
For VP – Government Money Market Fund:
The Fund will not (subject to the succeeding sentence) purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that: (i) there is no limitation with respect to government securities, cash and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by government securities or cash; and (ii) notwithstanding this limitation or any other fundamental investment limitation, assets may be invested in the securities of one or more management investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. If, at a future date, the Fund ceases to be a government money market fund and becomes a money market fund that may invest significantly in Rule 2a-7 eligible securities issued by non-government entities, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in money market instruments issued by U.S. banks or U.S. branches of foreign banks (subject to the applicable requirements of Rule 2a-7) and U.S. Government securities.
For VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund:
The Fund will not invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs; provided, however, that this investment restriction shall not prohibit the fund from purchasing publicly-traded securities of companies engaging in whole or in part in such activities.
The Fund will not purchase securities from or sell securities to any of its officers or Trustees, except with respect to its own shares and as permissible under applicable statutes, rule ad regulations.
The Fund will not invest more than 5% of the value of its net assets, valued at the lower of cost or market, in warrants, of which no more than 2% of net assets may be invested in warrants and rights not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange. For this purpose, warrants acquired by the fund in units or attached to securities may be deemed to have been purchased without cost.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 17

 

Names Rule Policy
To the extent a Fund is subject to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act (the Names Rule), and does not otherwise have a fundamental policy in place to comply with the Names Rule, such Fund has adopted the following non-fundamental policy: Shareholders will receive at least 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective or principal investment strategies made in order to comply with the Names Rule. The notice will be provided in plain English in a separate written document, and will contain the following prominent statement or similar statement in bold-face type: “Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy.” This statement will appear on both the notice and the envelope in which it is delivered, unless it is delivered separately from other communications to investors, in which case the statement will appear either on the notice or the envelope in which the notice is delivered. A Fund subject to a fundamental policy in place to comply with the Names Rule will disclose in the More Information About the Fund section of its prospectus that its 80% policy cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
Additional Information About Concentration
Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund may indirectly concentrate in a particular industry or group of industries through investments in underlying funds.
Summary of 1940 Act Restrictions on Certain Activities
Certain of the Fund’s fundamental and, if any, non-fundamental policies set forth above prohibit transactions “except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.” The following discussion summarizes the flexibility that the Fund currently gains from these exceptions. To the extent the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder may, in the future, be amended to provide greater flexibility, or to the extent the SEC may in the future grant exemptive relief providing greater flexibility, the Fund will be able to use that flexibility without seeking shareholder approval of its fundamental policies.
Borrowing money – The 1940 Act permits a Fund to borrow up to 33  1 3 % of its total assets (including the amounts borrowed) from banks, plus an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, which may be borrowed from banks or other sources. The exception in the fundamental policy allows the Funds to borrow money subject to these conditions. Compliance with this limitation is not measured under the Time of Purchase Standard (meaning, a Fund may not exceed these thresholds including if, after borrowing, the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market fluctuations).
Buy or sell physical commodities – The 1940 Act does not directly limit a Fund’s ability to invest directly in physical commodities. However, a Fund’s direct and indirect investments in physical commodities may be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a RIC, and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify. One of the requirements for favorable tax treatment as a RIC under the Code is that a Fund derive at least 90 percent of its gross income from certain qualifying sources of income. Income and gains from direct commodities investments, and from certain indirect investments therein, do not constitute qualifying income for this purpose. A Fund that qualifies for an exclusion from the definition of a commodity pool under the CEA and has on file a notice of exclusion under CFTC Rule 4.5 is limited in its ability to use certain financial instruments regulated under the CEA (“commodity interests”).
Investing in other investment companies – The 1940 Act, in summary, provides that a fund generally may not: (i) purchase more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of another investment company; (ii) purchase securities issued by another investment company in an amount representing more than 5% of the investing fund’s total assets; or (iii) purchase securities issued by investment companies that in the aggregate represent more than 10% of the acquiring fund’s total assets (the “3, 5 and 10 Rule”). Affiliated funds-of-funds (i.e., those funds that invest in other funds within the same fund family), with respect to investments in such affiliated underlying funds, are not subject to the 3, 5 and 10 Rule and, therefore, may invest in affiliated underlying funds without restriction. A fund-of-funds may also invest its assets in unaffiliated funds, but the fund-of-funds generally may not purchase more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one unaffiliated fund. Additionally, certain exceptions to these limitations apply to investments in money market open-end funds. If shares of the Fund are purchased by an affiliated fund beyond the 3, 5 and 10 Rule in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, for so long as shares of the Fund are held by such other affiliated fund beyond the 3, 5 and 10 Rule, the Fund will not purchase securities of a registered open-end investment company or registered unit investment trust in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. In December 2018, the SEC issued a proposed rulemaking package related to investments in other investment companies that, if adopted, could require the Funds to adjust their investments.
Issuing senior securities – A “senior security” is an obligation with respect to the earnings or assets of a company that takes precedence over the claims of that company’s common stock with respect to the same earnings or assets. The 1940 Act prohibits an open-end fund from issuing senior securities other than certain borrowings from a bank, but SEC staff interpretations allow a Fund to engage in certain types of transactions that otherwise might raise senior security concerns (such as short sales, buying and selling financial futures contracts and other derivative instruments and selling put and call options), provided that the Fund
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 18

 

segregates or designates on the Fund’s books and records liquid assets, or, as permitted in accordance with SEC staff interpretations, otherwise covers the transaction with offsetting portfolio securities, in amounts sufficient to offset any liability associated with the transaction. The exception in the fundamental policy allows the Fund to operate in reliance upon these staff interpretations.
Making loans (Lending) – Under the 1940 Act, an open-end fund may loan money or property to persons who do not control and are not under common control with the Fund, except that a Fund may make loans to a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, the SEC staff takes the position that a Fund may not lend portfolio securities representing more than one-third of the Fund’s total value. A Fund must receive from the borrower collateral at least equal in value to the loaned securities, marked to market daily. The exception in the fundamental policy allows the Fund to make loans to third parties, including loans of its portfolio securities, subject to these conditions.
Purchase of securities on margin – A purchase on margin involves a loan from the broker-dealer arranging the transaction. The “margin” is the cash or securities that the buyer/borrower places with the broker-dealer as collateral against the loan. However, the purchase of securities on margin is effectively prohibited by the 1940 Act because the Fund generally may borrow only from banks. Thus, under current law, this exception does not provide any additional flexibility to the Fund.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 19

 

ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS
The Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and related principal risks are discussed in each Fund’s prospectus. The Fund’s prospectus identifies the types of securities in which the Fund invests principally and summarizes the principal risks to the Fund’s portfolio as a whole associated with such investments. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus or this SAI, the investment objective and policies of a Fund may be changed without shareholder approval.
To the extent that a type of security identified in the table below for a Fund is not described in the Fund’s prospectus (or as a sub-category of such security type in this SAI), the Fund generally invests in such security type, if at all, as part of its non-principal investment strategies.
Information about individual types of securities (including certain of their associated risks) in which some or all of the Funds may invest is set forth below. The Fund may invest in these types of securities, subject to its investment objective and fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies. A Fund is not required to invest in any or all of the types of securities listed below.
Funds-of-funds invest in a combination of underlying funds, although they may also invest directly in stocks, bonds and other securities. These underlying funds have their own investment strategies and types of investments they are allowed to engage in and purchase. Funds-of-funds may invest directly or indirectly through investments in underlying funds, in securities and other instruments and may engage in the investment strategies indicated in the table below.
Certain Investment Activity Limits. The overall investment and other activities of the Investment Manager and its affiliates may limit the investment opportunities for each Fund in certain markets, industries or transactions or in individual issuers where limitations are imposed upon the aggregate amount of investment by the Funds and other accounts managed by the Investment Manager and accounts of its affiliates (collectively, affiliated investors). From time to time, each Fund’s activities also may be restricted because of regulatory restrictions applicable to the Investment Manager and its affiliates and/or because of their internal policies. See Investment Management and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest .
Temporary Defensive Positions. Each Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive investment positions that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation investing some or all of its assets in money market instruments or shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or holding some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may take such defensive investment positions for as long a period as deemed necessary.
Other Strategic and Investment Measures. A Fund may also from time to time take temporary portfolio positions that may or may not be consistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, social or other conditions, including, without limitation, investing in derivatives, such as forward contracts, futures contracts, options, structured investments and swaps, for various purposes, including among others, investing in particular derivatives in seeking to reduce investment exposure, or in seeking to achieve indirect investment exposure, to a sector, country, region or currency where the Investment Manager (or Fund subadviser, if applicable) believes such defensive positioning is appropriate. Each Fund may do so without limit and for as long a period as deemed necessary, when the Investment Manager or the Fund’s subadviser, if applicable: (i) believes that market conditions are not favorable for profitable investing or to avoid losses, (ii) is unable to locate favorable investment opportunities; or (iii) determines that a temporary defensive position is advisable or necessary in order to meet anticipated redemption requests, or for other reasons. While the Fund is so positioned, derivatives could comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Investing in this manner may adversely affect Fund performance. During these times, the portfolio managers may make frequent portfolio holding changes, which could result in increased trading expenses and decreased Fund performance.
Types of Investments
A black circle indicates that the investment strategy or type of investment generally is authorized for a category of Funds. Exceptions are noted following the table. See About the Trust for fund investment categories.
Type of Investment Equity
and
Flexible
Funds-of-Funds
– Equity and Fixed Income
Taxable
Fixed
Income
Money
Market
Asset-Backed Securities
Bank Obligations (Domestic and Foreign)
Collateralized Bond Obligations
Commercial Paper
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 20

 

Type of Investment Equity
and
Flexible
Funds-of-Funds
– Equity and Fixed Income
Taxable
Fixed
Income
Money
Market
Common Stock •A
Convertible Securities
Corporate Debt Securities •B
Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates
Debt Obligations
Depositary Receipts •C
Derivatives
Dollar Rolls •D
Exchange-Traded Notes
Foreign Currency Transactions
Foreign Securities
Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Agreements)
High-Yield Securities
Illiquid Investments
Inflation-Protected Securities
Initial Public Offerings
Inverse Floaters •E
Investments in Other Investment Companies (Including ETFs)
Listed Private Equity Funds
Money Market Instruments
Mortgage-Backed Securities •F
Municipal Securities
Participation Interests
Partnership Securities
Preferred Stock •G
Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Repurchase Agreements
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Short Sales
Sovereign Debt
Standby Commitments
U.S. Government and Related Obligations
Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations •H •I
Warrants and Rights
A. The following Fund is not authorized to invest in Common Stock: VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund.
B. While the Fund is prohibited from investing in corporate bonds, it may invest in securities classified as corporate bonds if they meet the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act.
C. The following Fund is not authorized to invest in Depository Receipts: VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund.
D. The following Funds are authorized to invest in Dollar Rolls: VP – Balanced Fund, VP – Commodity Strategy Fund, VP – Core Equity Fund, VP – Disciplined Core Fund and VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund.
E. The following Funds are authorized to invest in Inverse Floaters: VP – Balanced Fund, VP – Commodity Strategy Fund, VP - Disciplined Core Fund and VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund.
F. The following Funds are not authorized to invest in Mortgage-Backed Securities: VP – Large Cap Index Fund and VP - Select Small Cap Value Fund.
G. The following Fund is not authorized to invest in Preferred Stock: VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 21

 

H. The following Funds are authorized to invest in Floating-Rate Loans: VP – Balanced, VP - Commodity Strategy Fund and VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund.
I. The Fund is not authorized to invest in floating rate loans. This restriction is not intended to prevent the Fund from investing in variable and floating rate instruments that are permissible investments for money market funds under Rule 2a-7.
Asset-Backed Securities
Asset-backed securities represent interests in, or debt instruments that are backed by, pools of various types of assets that generate cash payments generally over fixed periods of time, such as, among others, motor vehicle installment sales, contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from revolving (credit card) agreements. Such securities entitle the security holders to receive distributions ( i.e. , principal and interest) that are tied to the payments made by the borrower on the underlying assets (less fees paid to the originator, servicer, or other parties, and fees paid for credit enhancement), so that the payments made on the underlying assets effectively pass through to such security holders. Asset-backed securities typically are created by an originator of loans or owner of accounts receivable that sells such underlying assets to a special purpose entity in a process called a securitization. The special purpose entity issues securities that are backed by the payments on the underlying assets, and have a minimum denomination and specific term. Asset-backed securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are but one example of an asset-backed security. See Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with asset-backed securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Bank Obligations (Domestic and Foreign)
Bank obligations include certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, time deposits and promissory notes that earn a specified rate of return and may be issued by (i) a domestic branch of a domestic bank, (ii) a foreign branch of a domestic bank, (iii) a domestic branch of a foreign bank or (iv) a foreign branch of a foreign bank. Bank obligations may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations. See Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations for more information.
Certificates of deposit, or so-called CDs, typically are interest-bearing debt instruments issued by banks and have maturities ranging from a few weeks to several years. Yankee dollar certificates of deposit are negotiable CDs issued in the United States by branches and agencies of foreign banks. Eurodollar certificates of deposit are CDs issued by foreign banks with interest and principal paid in U.S. dollars. Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar CDs typically have maturities of less than two years and have interest rates that typically are pegged to a reference rate, such as LIBOR. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on and accepted by banks, are a customary means of effecting payment for merchandise sold in import-export transactions and are a general source of financing. A time deposit can be either a savings account or CD that is an obligation of a financial institution for a fixed term. Typically, there are penalties for early withdrawals of time deposits. Promissory notes are written commitments of the maker to pay the payee a specified sum of money either on demand or at a fixed or determinable future date, with or without interest.
Bank investment contracts are issued by banks. Pursuant to such contracts, a Fund may make cash contributions to a deposit fund of a bank. The bank then credits to the Fund payments at floating or fixed interest rates. A Fund also may hold funds on deposit with its custodian for temporary purposes.
Certain bank obligations, such as some CDs, are insured by the FDIC up to certain specified limits. Many other bank obligations, however, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the FDIC or the U.S. Government. These bank obligations are “backed” only by the creditworthiness of the issuing bank or parent financial institution. Domestic and foreign banks are subject to different governmental regulation. Accordingly, certain obligations of foreign banks, including Eurodollar and Yankee dollar obligations, involve different and/or heightened investment risks than those affecting obligations of domestic banks, including, among others, the possibilities that: (i) their liquidity could be impaired because of political or economic developments; (ii) the obligations may be less marketable than comparable obligations of domestic banks; (iii) a foreign jurisdiction might impose withholding and other taxes at high levels on interest income; (iv) foreign deposits may be seized or nationalized; (v) foreign governmental restrictions such as exchange controls may be imposed, which could adversely affect the payment of principal and/or interest on those obligations; (vi) there may be less publicly available information concerning foreign banks issuing the obligations; and (vii) the reserve requirements and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to foreign banks may differ (including, less stringent) from those applicable to domestic banks. Foreign banks generally are not subject to examination by any U.S. Government agency or instrumentality. See Types of Investments – Foreign Securities .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with bank obligations include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 22

 

Collateralized Bond Obligations
Collateralized bond obligations (CBOs) are investment grade bonds backed by a pool of bonds, which may include junk bonds (which are considered speculative investments). CBOs are similar in concept to collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), but differ in that CBOs represent different degrees of credit quality rather than different maturities. (See Types of Investments – Mortgage-Backed Securities and – Asset-Backed Securities . ) CBOs are often privately offered and sold, and thus not registered under the federal securities laws.
Underwriters of CBOs package a large and diversified pool of high-risk, high-yield junk bonds, which is then structured into “tranches.” Typically, the first tranche represents a senior claim on collateral and pays the lowest interest rate; the second tranche is junior to the first tranche and therefore subject to greater risk and pays a higher rate; the third tranche is junior to both the first and second tranche, represents the lowest credit quality and instead of receiving a fixed interest rate receives the residual interest payments — money that is left over after the higher tranches have been paid. CBOs, like CMOs, are substantially overcollateralized and this, plus the diversification of the pool backing them, may earn certain of the tranches investment-grade bond ratings. Holders of third-tranche CBOs stand to earn higher or lower yields depending on the rate of defaults in the collateral pool. See Types of Investments – High-Yield Securities .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with CBOs include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk, High-Yield Securities Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper is a short-term debt obligation, usually sold on a discount basis, with a maturity ranging from 2 to 270 days issued by banks, corporations and other borrowers. It is sold to investors with temporary idle cash as a way to increase returns on a short-term basis. These instruments are generally unsecured, which increases the credit risk associated with this type of investment. See Types of Investments — Debt Obligations and — Illiquid Investments. See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with commercial paper include: Credit Risk and Liquidity Risk.
Common Stock
Common stock represents a unit of equity ownership of a corporation. Owners typically are entitled to vote on the selection of directors and other important corporate governance matters, and to receive dividend payments, if any, on their holdings. However, ownership of common stock does not entitle owners to participate in the day-to-day operations of the corporation. Common stocks of domestic and foreign public corporations can be listed, and their shares traded, on domestic stock exchanges, such as the NYSE or the NASDAQ Stock Market. Domestic and foreign corporations also may have their shares traded on foreign exchanges, such as the London Stock Exchange or Tokyo Stock Exchange. See Types of Investments – Foreign Securities . Common stock may be privately placed or publicly offered. The price of common stock is generally determined by corporate earnings, type of products or services offered, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and market conditions generally. In the event that a corporation declares bankruptcy or is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock. See Types of Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities, – Preferred Stock and – Convertible Securities for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with common stock include: Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Convertible Securities
Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio or predetermined price (the conversion price). As such, convertible securities combine the investment characteristics of debt securities and equity securities. A holder of convertible securities is entitled to receive the income of a bond, debenture or note or the dividend of a preferred stock until the conversion privilege is exercised. The market value of convertible securities generally is a function of, among other factors, interest rates, the rates of return of similar nonconvertible securities and the financial strength of the issuer. The market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, conversely, to rise as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security’s market value tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company when that stock price approaches or is greater than its conversion price. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the price of the convertible security tends to be influenced more by the rate of return of the convertible security. Because both interest rate and common stock’s market movements can influence their value, convertible securities generally are not as sensitive to changes in interest rates as similar non-convertible debt securities nor generally as sensitive to changes in share price as the underlying common stock. Convertible securities may be structured as
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 23

 

fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, —Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities, — Common Stock, — Corporate Debt Securities and — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Certain convertible securities may have a mandatory conversion feature, pursuant to which the securities convert automatically into common stock or other equity securities (of the same or a different issuer) at a specified date and at a specified exchange ratio. Certain convertible securities may be convertible at the option of the issuer, which may require a holder to convert the security into the underlying common stock, even at times when the value of the underlying common stock or other equity security has declined substantially. In addition, some convertible securities may be rated below investment grade or may not be rated and, therefore, may be considered speculative investments. Companies that issue convertible securities frequently are small- and mid-capitalization companies and, accordingly, carry the risks associated with such companies. In addition, the credit rating of a company’s convertible securities generally is lower than that of its conventional debt securities. Convertible securities are senior to equity securities and have a claim to the assets of an issuer prior to the holders of the issuer’s common stock in the event of liquidation but generally are subordinate to similar non-convertible debt securities of the same issuer. Some convertible securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates when their predetermined conversion price is much higher than the price for the issuing company’s common stock.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with convertible securities include: Convertible Securities Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Market Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk, and Reinvestment Risk.
Corporate Debt Securities
Corporate debt securities are long and short term fixed income securities typically issued by businesses to finance their operations. Corporate debt securities are issued by public or private companies, as distinct from debt securities issued by a government or its agencies. The issuer of a corporate debt security often has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal periodically or on a specified maturity date. Corporate debt securities typically have four distinguishing features: (1) they are taxable; (2) they have a par value of $1,000; (3) they have a term maturity, which means they come due at a specified time period; and (4) many are traded on major securities exchanges. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most common types of corporate debt securities, with the primary difference being their interest rates, maturity dates and secured or unsecured status. Commercial paper has the shortest term and usually is unsecured, as are debentures. The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including those with small-, mid- and large-capitalizations. The category also includes bank loans, as well as assignments, participations and other interests in bank loans. Corporate debt securities may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may be structured as fixed-, variable or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. They may also be senior or subordinated obligations. See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. See Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities, — Debt Obligations, — Commercial Paper and — High-Yield Securities for more information.
Extendible commercial notes (ECNs) are very similar to commercial paper except that, with ECNs, the issuer has the option to extend the notes’ maturity. ECNs are issued at a discount rate, with an initial redemption of not more than 90 days from the date of issue. If ECNs are not redeemed by the issuer on the initial redemption date, the issuer will pay a premium (step-up) rate based on the ECN’s credit rating at the time.
Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of issuers, corporate debt securities can have widely varying risk/return profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated by an NRSRO as investment grade may have a relatively modest return on principal but present relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued, for example, by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated by an NRSRO may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal but carries a relatively high degree of risk.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with corporate debt securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, High-Yield Securities Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Reinvestment Risk.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 24

 

Custody Receipts and Trust Certificates
Custody receipts and trust certificates are derivative products that evidence direct ownership in a pool of securities. Typically, a sponsor will deposit a pool of securities with a custodian in exchange for custody receipts evidencing interests in those securities. The sponsor generally then will sell the custody receipts or trust certificates in negotiated transactions at varying prices. Each custody receipt or trust certificate evidences the individual securities in the pool and the holder of a custody receipt or trust certificate generally will have all the rights and privileges of owners of those securities.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with custody receipts and trust certificates include: Liquidity Risk and Counterparty Risk. In addition, custody receipts and trust certificates generally are subject to the same risks as the securities evidenced by the receipts or certificates.
Debt Obligations
Many different types of debt obligations exist (for example, bills, bonds, and notes). Issuers of debt obligations have a contractual obligation to pay interest at a fixed, variable or floating rate on specified dates and to repay principal by a specified maturity date. Certain debt obligations (usually intermediate and long-term bonds) have provisions that allow the issuer to redeem or “call” a bond before its maturity. Issuers are most likely to call these securities during periods of falling interest rates. When this happens, an investor may have to replace these securities with lower yielding securities, which could result in a lower return.
The market value of debt obligations is affected primarily by changes in prevailing interest rates and the issuer’s perceived ability to repay the debt. The market value of a debt obligation generally reacts inversely to interest rate changes. When prevailing interest rates decline, the market value of the bond usually rises, and when prevailing interest rates rise, the market value of the bond usually declines.
In general, the longer the maturity of a debt obligation, the higher its yield and the greater the sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Conversely, the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield and the lower the sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
As noted, the values of debt obligations also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of their issuers. Generally, the lower the quality rating of a security, the higher the degree of risk as to the payment of interest and return of principal. To compensate investors for taking on such increased risk, those issuers deemed to be less creditworthy generally must offer their investors higher interest rates than do issuers with better credit ratings. See Types of Investments — Corporate Debt Securities, — High-Yield Securities and — Preferred Stock - Trust-Preferred Securities for information.
Event-Linked Instruments/Catastrophe Bonds. A Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in “event-linked bonds” or “event-linked swaps” or by implementing “event-linked strategies.” Event-linked exposure results in gains or losses that typically are contingent on, or formulaically related to, defined trigger events. Examples of trigger events include hurricanes, earthquakes, weather-related phenomena or statistics relating to such events. Some event-linked bonds are commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds.” If a trigger event occurs, the principal amount of the bond is reduced (potentially to zero), and a Fund may lose all or a portion of its entire principal invested in the bond or the entire notional amount on a swap.
Stripped Securities. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal payments of a debt security and evidence ownership in either the future interest or principal payments on an instrument. There are many different types and variations of stripped securities. For example, Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS) can be component parts of a U.S. Treasury security where the principal and interest components are traded independently through DTC, a clearing agency registered pursuant to Section 17A of the 1934 Act and created to hold securities for its participants, and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between participants through electronic computerized book-entries, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Treasury Investor Growth Receipts (TIGERs) are U.S. Treasury securities stripped by brokers. Stripped mortgage-backed securities, (SMBS) also can be issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies. Stripped securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations.
SMBS usually are structured with two or more classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of mortgage-backed assets. Common types of SMBS will be structured so that one class receives some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage-backed assets, while another class receives most of the interest and the remainder of the principal.
See Types of Investments – Mortgage-Backed Securities, – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations and – U.S. Government and Related Obligations for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with stripped securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Stripped Securities Risk
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions. When-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions involve the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund, with payment and delivery taking place in the future after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Normally, the settlement date occurs within 45 days of the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 25

 

purchase although in some cases settlement may take longer. The investor does not pay for the securities or receive dividends or interest on them until the contractual settlement date. When engaging in when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, a Fund typically will designate liquid assets in an amount equal to or greater than the purchase price. The payment obligation and, if applicable, the interest rate that will be received on the securities, are fixed at the time that a Fund agrees to purchase the securities. A Fund generally will enter into when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions only with the intention of completing such transactions.
However, a Fund’s portfolio manager may determine not to complete a transaction if he or she deems it appropriate to close out the transaction prior to its completion. In such cases, a Fund may realize short-term gains or losses. See Types of Investments — Asset-Backed Securities and — Mortgage-Backed Securities for more information.
To Be Announced Securities (“TBAs”). As with other delayed delivery transactions, a seller agrees to issue a TBA security at a future date. However, the seller does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, the Fund agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms. For example, in a TBA mortgage-backed security transaction, the Fund and the seller would agree upon the issuer, interest rate and terms of the underlying mortgages. The seller would not identify the specific underlying mortgages until it issues the security. TBA mortgage-backed securities increase market risks because the underlying mortgages may be less favorable than anticipated by the Fund. See Types of Investments — Asset-Backed Securities and — Mortgage-Backed Securities for more information. In order to better define contractual rights and to secure rights that will help a Fund mitigate their counterparty risk, TBA transactions may be entered into by a Fund under Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (each, an “MSFTA”). An MSFTA typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of default and/or termination event. The collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of the collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to a Fund are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, a Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk and Market Risk.
Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities. Zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities are types of debt instruments that do not necessarily make payments of interest in fixed amounts or at fixed intervals. Asset-backed securities, convertible securities, corporate debt securities, foreign securities, high-yield securities, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, participation interests, stripped securities, U.S. Government and related obligations and other types of debt instruments may be structured as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities.
Zero-coupon securities do not pay interest on a current basis but instead accrue interest over the life of the security. These securities include, among others, zero-coupon bonds, which either may be issued at a discount by a corporation or government entity or may be created by a brokerage firm when it strips the coupons from a bond or note and then sells the bond or note and the coupon separately. This technique is used frequently with U.S. Treasury bonds, and zero-coupon securities are marketed under such names as CATS (Certificate of Accrual on Treasury Securities), TIGERs or STRIPS. Zero-coupon bonds also are issued by municipalities. Buying a municipal zero-coupon bond frees its purchaser of the obligation to pay regular federal income tax on imputed interest, since the interest is exempt for regular federal income tax purposes. Zero-coupon certificates of deposit and zero-coupon mortgages are generally structured in the same fashion as zero-coupon bonds; the certificate of deposit holder or mortgage holder receives face value at maturity and no payments until then.
Pay-in-kind securities normally give the issuer an option to pay cash at a coupon payment date or to give the holder of the security a similar security with the same coupon rate and a face value equal to the amount of the coupon payment that would have been made.
Step-coupon securities trade at a discount from their face value and pay coupon interest that gradually increases over time. The coupon rate is paid according to a schedule for a series of periods, typically lower for an initial period and then increasing to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The discount from the face amount or par value depends on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issue.
Zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities holders generally have substantially all the rights and privileges of holders of the underlying coupon obligations or principal obligations. Holders of these securities typically have the right upon default on the underlying coupon obligations or principal obligations to proceed directly and individually against the issuer and are not required to act in concert with other holders of such securities.
See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. See Types of Investments — Asset-Backed Securities and — Mortgage-Backed Securities for more information.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with zero-coupon, step-coupon, and pay-in-kind securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk and Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 26

 

Determining Investment Grade for Purposes of Investment Policies. Unless otherwise stated in the Fund’s prospectus, when determining, under a Fund’s investment policies, whether a debt instrument is investment grade or below investment grade for purposes of purchase by the Fund, the Fund will apply a particular credit quality rating methodology, as described within the Fund’s shareholder reports, when available. These methodologies typically make use of credit quality ratings assigned by a third-party rating agency or agencies, when available. Credit quality ratings assigned by a rating agency are subjective opinions, not statements of fact, and are subject to change, including daily. Credit quality ratings apply to the Fund’s debt instrument investments and not the Fund itself.
Ratings limitations under a Fund’s investment policies are applied at the time of purchase by a Fund. Subsequent to purchase, a debt instrument may cease to be rated by a rating agency or its rating may be reduced by a rating agency(ies) below the minimum required for purchase by a Fund. Neither event will require the sale of such debt instrument, but it may be a factor in considering whether to continue to hold the instrument. Unless otherwise stated in a Fund’s prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund may invest in debt instruments that are not rated by a rating agency. When a debt instrument is not rated by a rating agency, the Investment Manager or, as applicable, a Fund subadviser determines, at the time of purchase, whether such debt instrument is of investment grade or below investment grade (e.g., junk bond) quality. A Fund’s debt instrument holdings that are not rated by a rating agency are typically referred to as “Not Rated” within the Fund’s shareholder reports.
See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with debt obligations include: Confidential Information Access Risk, Credit Risk, Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk, Impairment of Collateral Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Reinvestment Risk.
Determining Average Maturity. When determining the average maturity of a Fund's portfolio, the Fund may use the effective maturity of a portfolio security by, among other things, adjusting for interest rate reset dates, call dates or “put” dates.
Depositary Receipts
See Types of Investments – Foreign Securities below.
Derivatives
General
Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or a bond), assets (such as a commodity, like gold), reference rates (such as LIBOR), market indices (such as the S& P 500 ® Index) or customized baskets of securities or instruments. Some forms of derivatives, such as exchange-traded futures and options on securities, commodities, or indices, are traded on regulated exchanges. These types of derivatives are standardized contracts that can easily be bought and sold, and whose market values are determined and published daily. Non-standardized derivatives, on the other hand, tend to be more specialized or complex, and may be harder to value. Many derivative instruments often require little or no initial payment and therefore often create inherent economic leverage. Derivatives, when used properly, can enhance returns and be useful in hedging portfolios and managing risk. Some common types of derivatives include futures; options; options on futures; forward foreign currency exchange contracts; forward contracts on securities and securities indices; linked securities and structured products; CMOs; swap agreements and swaptions.
A Fund may use derivatives for a variety of reasons, including, for example: (i) to enhance its return; (ii) to attempt to protect against possible unfavorable changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for its portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations ( i.e. , to hedge); (iii) to protect its unrealized gains reflected in the value of its portfolio securities; (iv) to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes; (v) to reduce transaction costs; (vi) to manage the effective maturity or duration of its portfolio; and/or (vii) to maintain cash reserves while remaining fully invested.
Certain Funds may employ portfolio margining with respect to derivatives investments, which creates leverage in a Fund’s portfolio (subjecting the Fund to Leverage Risk). Portfolio margining is a methodology that computes margin requirements for an account based on the greatest projected net loss of all positions in a product class or group, and uses computer modeling to perform risk analysis using multiple pricing scenarios. The pricing scenarios are designed to measure the theoretical loss of the positions, given changes in the underlying price and implied volatility inputs to the model. Accordingly, the margin required is based on the greatest loss that would be incurred in a portfolio if the value of its components move up or down by a predetermined amount.
A Fund may use any or all of the above investment techniques and may purchase different types of derivative instruments at any time and in any combination. The use of derivatives is a function of numerous variables, including market conditions. See also Types of Investments — Warrants and Rights and — Debt Obligations - When Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 27

 

Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with transactions in derivatives (including the derivatives instruments discussed below) include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Leverage Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk, Derivatives Risk, Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk, Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk, Derivatives Risk – Inverse Floaters Risk, Derivatives Risk – Options Risk, Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk and/or Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk.
Structured Investments (Indexed or Linked Securities)
General . Indexed or linked securities, also often referred to as “structured products,” are instruments that may have varying combinations of equity and debt characteristics. These instruments are structured to recast the investment characteristics of the underlying security or reference asset. If the issuer is a unit investment trust or other special purpose vehicle, the structuring will typically involve the deposit with or purchase by such issuer of specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or securities) and/or the execution of various derivative transactions, and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities (structured securities) backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured securities to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of such payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments.
Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities. A Fund may invest in securities that provide a potential return based on a particular index or interest rates. For example, a Fund may invest in debt securities that pay interest based on an index of interest rates. The principal amount payable upon maturity of certain securities also may be based on the value of the index. To the extent a Fund invests in these types of securities, a Fund’s return on such securities will rise and fall with the value of the particular index: that is, if the value of the index falls, the value of the indexed securities owned by a Fund will fall. Interest and principal payable on certain securities may also be based on relative changes among particular indices.
A Fund may also invest in so-called “inverse floaters” or “residual interest bonds” on which the interest rates vary inversely with a floating rate (which may be reset periodically by a dutch auction, a remarketing agent, or by reference to a short-term tax-exempt interest rate index). A Fund may purchase synthetically-created inverse floating rate bonds evidenced by custodial or trust receipts. A trust funds the purchase of a bond by issuing two classes of certificates: short-term floating rate notes (typically sold to third parties) and the inverse floaters (also known as residual certificates). No additional income beyond that provided by the trust’s underlying bond is created; rather, that income is merely divided-up between the two classes of certificates. Generally, income on inverse floating rate bonds will decrease when interest rates increase, and will increase when interest rates decrease. Such securities can have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or decrease in value in response to changes in market interest rates at a rate that is a multiple of the actual rate at which fixed-rate securities increase or decrease in response to such changes. As a result, the market values of such securities will generally be more volatile than the market values of fixed-rate securities. To seek to limit the volatility of these securities, a Fund may purchase inverse floating obligations that have shorter-term maturities or that contain limitations on the extent to which the interest rate may vary. Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid. Furthermore, where such a security includes a contingent liability, in the event of an adverse movement in the underlying index or interest rate, a Fund may be required to pay substantial additional margin to maintain the position.
Credit-Linked Securities. Among the income-producing securities in which a Fund may invest are credit linked securities. The issuers of these securities frequently are limited purpose trusts or other special purpose vehicles that, in turn, invest in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and other securities, in order to provide exposure to certain fixed income markets. For instance, a Fund may invest in credit-linked securities as a cash management tool in order to gain exposure to a certain market and/or to remain fully invested when more traditional income-producing securities are not available. Like an investment in a bond, investments in these credit linked securities represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the security. However, these payments are conditioned on or linked to the issuer’s receipt of payments from, and the issuer’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the issuer invests. For instance, the issuer may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the issuer would receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the issuer would be obligated to pay the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and/or principal that a Fund would receive. A Fund’s investments in these securities are indirectly subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments. These securities generally are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Accordingly, there may be no established trading market for the securities and they may be illiquid.
Equity-Linked Notes. An equity-linked note (ELN) is a debt instrument whose value is based on the value of a single equity security, basket of equity securities or an index of equity securities (each, an Underlying Equity). An ELN typically provides interest income, thereby offering a yield advantage over investing directly in an Underlying Equity. The Fund may purchase
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 28

 

ELNs that trade on a securities exchange or those that trade on the over-the-counter markets, including Rule 144A securities. The Fund may also purchase ELNs in a privately negotiated transaction with the issuer of the ELNs (or its broker-dealer affiliate). The Fund may or may not hold an ELN until its maturity.
Equity-linked securities also include issues such as Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock (STRYPES), Trust Automatic Common Exchange Securities (TRACES), Trust Issued Mandatory Exchange Securities (TIMES) and Trust Enhanced Dividend Securities (TRENDS). The issuers of these equity-linked securities generally purchase and hold a portfolio of stripped U.S. Treasury securities maturing on a quarterly basis through the conversion date, and a forward purchase contract with an existing shareholder of the company relating to the common stock. Quarterly distributions on such equity-linked securities generally consist of the cash received from the U.S. Treasury securities and such equity-linked securities generally are not entitled to any dividends that may be declared on the common stock.
ELNs also include participation notes issued by a bank or broker-dealer that entitles the Fund to a return measured by the change in value of an Underlying Equity. Participation notes are typically used when a direct investment in the Underlying Equity is restricted due to country-specific regulations. Investment in a participation note is not the same as investment in the constituent shares of the company (or other issuer type) to which the Underlying Equity is economically tied. A participation note represents only an obligation of the company or other issuer type to provide the Fund the economic performance equivalent to holding shares of the Underlying Equity. A participation note does not provide any beneficial or equitable entitlement or interest in the relevant Underlying Equity. In other words, shares of the Underlying Equity are not in any way owned by the Fund.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with equity-linked notes include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Liquidity Risk and Market Risk.
Index-, Commodity- and Currency-Linked Securities. “Index-linked” or “commodity-linked” notes are debt securities of companies that call for interest payments and/or payment at maturity in different terms than the typical note where the borrower agrees to make fixed interest payments and to pay a fixed sum at maturity. Principal and/or interest payments on an index-linked or commodity-linked note depend on the performance of one or more market indices, such as the S&P 500 ® Index, a weighted index of commodity futures such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas or the market prices of a particular commodity or basket of commodities or securities. Currency-linked debt securities are short-term or intermediate-term instruments having a value at maturity, and/or an interest rate, determined by reference to one or more foreign currencies. Payment of principal or periodic interest may be calculated as a multiple of the movement of one currency against another currency, or against an index.
Index-, commodity- and currency-linked securities may entail substantial risks. Such instruments may be subject to significant price volatility. The company issuing the instrument may fail to pay the amount due on maturity. The underlying investment may not perform as expected by a Fund’s portfolio manager. Markets and underlying investments and indexes may move in a direction that was not anticipated by a Fund’s portfolio manager. Performance of the derivatives may be influenced by interest rate and other market changes in the United States and abroad, and certain derivative instruments may be illiquid.
Linked securities are often issued by unit investment trusts. Examples of this include such index-linked securities as S&P Depositary Receipts (SPDRs), which is an interest in a unit investment trust holding a portfolio of securities linked to the S&P 500 ® Index, and a type of exchange-traded fund (ETF). Because a unit investment trust is an investment company under the 1940 Act, a Fund’s investments in SPDRs are subject to the limitations set forth in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, although the SEC has issued exemptive relief permitting investment companies such as the Funds to invest beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1)(A) subject to certain conditions. SPDRs generally closely track the underlying portfolio of securities, trade like a share of common stock and pay periodic dividends proportionate to those paid by the portfolio of stocks that comprise the S&P 500 ® Index. As a holder of interests in a unit investment trust, a Fund would indirectly bear its ratable share of that unit investment trust’s expenses. At the same time, a Fund would continue to pay its own management and advisory fees and other expenses, as a result of which a Fund and its shareholders in effect would be absorbing levels of fees with respect to investments in such unit investment trusts.
Because linked securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. Investments in structured products may be structured as a class that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated linked securities typically have higher rates of return and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured products. Structured products sometimes are sold in private placement transactions and often have a limited trading market.
Investments in linked securities have the potential to lead to significant losses because of unexpected movements in the underlying financial asset, index, currency or other investment. The ability of a Fund to utilize linked securities successfully will depend on its ability correctly to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. Because currency-linked securities usually relate to foreign currencies, some of which may be currencies from emerging market countries, there are certain additional risks associated with such investments.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 29

 

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
Futures Contracts. A futures contract sale creates an obligation by the seller to deliver the type of security or other asset called for in the contract at a specified delivery time for a stated price. A futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the purchaser to take delivery of the type of security or other asset called for in the contract at a specified delivery time for a stated price. The specific security or other asset delivered or taken at the settlement date is not determined until on or near that date. The determination is made in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the futures contract was made. A Fund may enter into futures contracts which are traded on national or foreign futures exchanges and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying security or other asset. Futures exchanges and trading in the United States are regulated under the CEA by the CFTC, a U.S. Government agency. See CFTC Regulation below for information on CFTC regulation.
Traders in futures contracts may be broadly classified as either “hedgers” or “speculators.” Hedgers use the futures markets primarily to offset unfavorable changes (anticipated or potential) in the value of securities or other assets currently owned or expected to be acquired by them. Speculators less often own the securities or other assets underlying the futures contracts which they trade, and generally use futures contracts with the expectation of realizing profits from fluctuations in the value of the underlying securities or other assets.
Upon entering into futures contracts, in compliance with regulatory requirements, cash or liquid securities, at least equal in value to the amount of a Fund’s obligation under the contract (less any applicable margin deposits and any assets that constitute “cover” for such obligation), will be designated in a Fund’s books and records.
Unlike when a Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract, although a Fund is required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash and/or U.S. Government securities in order to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. This amount is known as “initial margin.” The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in security transactions, in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by a Fund to finance the transactions. Rather, initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying security or other asset) that is returned to a Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Minimum initial margin requirements are established by the relevant futures exchange and may be changed. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded. Subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the broker (or the custodian) are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security or other asset fluctuates, a process known as “marking to market.” If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional variation margin will be required. Conversely, a change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made for as long as the contract remains open. A Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.
Although futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of securities or other assets (stock index futures contracts or futures contracts that reference other intangible assets do not permit delivery of the referenced assets), the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. A Fund may elect to close some or all of its futures positions at any time prior to their expiration. The purpose of taking such action would be to reduce or eliminate the position then currently held by a Fund. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (“buying” a contract which has previously been “sold,” “selling” a contract previously “purchased”) in an identical contract ( i.e. , the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security or other asset with the same delivery date) to terminate the position. Final determinations are made as to whether the price of the initial sale of the futures contract exceeds or is below the price of the offsetting purchase, or whether the purchase price exceeds or is below the offsetting sale price. Final determinations of variation margin are then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to a Fund, and a Fund realizes a loss or a gain. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold.
Successful use of futures contracts by a Fund is subject to its portfolio manager’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors affecting securities and commodities markets. This requires different skills and techniques than those required to predict changes in the prices of individual securities. A Fund, therefore, bears the risk that future market trends will be incorrectly predicted.
The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some strategies can be substantial, due both to the relatively low margin deposits required and the potential for an extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures contracts. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in an immediate and substantial loss to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 30

 

futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit if the contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount posted as initial margin for the contract.
In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments in order to maintain its required margin. In such a situation, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities in order to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close the futures position also could have an adverse impact on the ability to hedge effectively.
To reduce or eliminate a hedge position held by a Fund, a Fund may seek to close out a position. The ability to establish and close out positions will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular futures contract, which may limit a Fund’s ability to realize its profits or limit its losses. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions, closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of contracts, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances, such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability, may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of contracts (or a particular class or series of contracts), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in the class or series of contracts) would cease to exist, although outstanding contracts on the exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
Interest Rate Futures Contracts. Bond prices are established in both the cash market and the futures market. In the cash market, bonds are purchased and sold with payment for the full purchase price of the bond being made in cash, generally within five business days after the trade. In the futures market, a contract is made to purchase or sell a bond in the future for a set price on a certain date. Historically, the prices for bonds established in the futures markets have tended to move generally in the aggregate in concert with the cash market prices and have maintained fairly predictable relationships. Accordingly, a Fund may use interest rate futures contracts as a defense, or hedge, against anticipated interest rate changes. A Fund presently could accomplish a similar result to that which it hopes to achieve through the use of interest rate futures contracts by selling bonds with long maturities and investing in bonds with short maturities when interest rates are expected to increase, or conversely, selling bonds with short maturities and investing in bonds with long maturities when interest rates are expected to decline. However, because of the liquidity that is often available in the futures market, the protection is more likely to be achieved, perhaps at a lower cost and without changing the rate of interest being earned by a Fund, through using futures contracts.
Interest rate futures contracts are traded in an auction environment on the floors of several exchanges — principally, the Chicago Board of Trade, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the New York Futures Exchange. Each exchange guarantees performance under contract provisions through a clearing corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the exchange membership. A public market exists in futures contracts covering various financial instruments including long-term U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes; GNMA modified pass-through mortgage backed securities; three-month U.S. Treasury Bills; and ninety-day commercial paper. A Fund may also invest in exchange-traded Eurodollar contracts, which are interest rate futures on the forward level of a reference rate, such as LIBOR. These contracts are generally considered liquid securities and trade on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Such Eurodollar contracts are generally used to “lock-in” or hedge the future level of short-term rates. A Fund may trade in any interest rate futures contracts for which there exists a public market, including, without limitation, the foregoing instruments.
Index Futures Contracts. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell units of an index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. Entering into a contract to buy units of an index is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in the index. Entering into a contract to sell units of an index is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the index. A unit is the current value of the index. A Fund may enter into stock index futures contracts, debt index futures contracts, or other index futures contracts appropriate to its objective(s).
Municipal Bond Index Futures Contracts. Municipal bond index futures contracts may act as a hedge against changes in market conditions. A municipal bond index assigns values daily to the municipal bonds included in the index based on the independent assessment of dealer-to-dealer municipal bond brokers. A municipal bond index futures contract represents a firm commitment by which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount equal to a specified dollar amount multiplied by the difference between the municipal bond index value on the last trading date of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the underlying securities in the index is made.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 31

 

Commodity-Linked Futures Contracts. Commodity-linked futures contracts are traded on futures exchanges. These futures exchanges offer a central marketplace in which to transact in futures contracts, a clearing corporation to process trades, and standardization of expiration dates and contract sizes. Futures markets also specify the terms and conditions of delivery as well as the maximum permissible price movement during a trading session. Additionally, the commodity futures exchanges may have position limit rules that limit the amount of futures contracts that any one party may hold in a particular commodity at any point in time. These position limit rules are designed to prevent any one participant from controlling a significant portion of the market.
Commodity-linked futures contracts are generally based upon commodities within six main commodity groups: (1) energy, which includes, among others, crude oil, brent crude oil, gas oil, natural gas, gasoline and heating oil; (2) livestock, which includes, among others, feeder cattle, live cattle and hogs; (3) agriculture, which includes, among others, wheat (Kansas wheat and Chicago wheat), corn and soybeans; (4) industrial metals, which includes, among others, aluminum, copper, lead, nickel and zinc; (5) precious metals, which includes, among others, gold and silver; and (6) softs, which includes cotton, coffee, sugar and cocoa. A Fund may purchase commodity futures contracts, swaps on commodity futures contracts, options on futures contracts and options and futures on commodity indices with respect to these six main commodity groups and the individual commodities within each group, as well as other types of commodities.
The price of a commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity. These storage costs include the time value of money invested in the physical commodity plus the actual costs of storing the commodity less any benefits from ownership of the physical commodity that are not obtained by the holder of a futures contract (this is sometimes referred to as the “convenience yield”). To the extent that these storage costs change for an underlying commodity while a Fund is long futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.
In the commodity futures markets, if producers of the underlying commodity wish to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity, they will sell futures contracts today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to take the corresponding long side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer must be willing to sell the futures contract at a price that is below the expected future spot price. Conversely, if the predominant hedgers in the futures market are the purchasers of the underlying commodity who purchase futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only take the short side of the futures contract if the futures price is greater than the expected future spot price of the commodity.
The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures contract prices are above or below the expected future spot price. This can have significant implications for a Fund when it is time to replace an existing contract with a new contract. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in futures markets has shifted such that commodity purchasers are the predominant hedgers in the market, a Fund might open the new futures position at a higher price or choose other related commodity-linked investments.
The values of commodities which underlie commodity futures contracts are subject to additional variables which may be less significant to the values of traditional securities such as stocks and bonds. Variables such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes and tariffs may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked investments, including futures contracts, commodity-linked structured notes, commodity-linked options and commodity-linked swaps, than on traditional securities. These additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject a Fund’s commodity-linked investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.
Options on Futures Contracts. A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on those futures contracts that it is permitted to buy or sell. A Fund may use such options on futures contracts in lieu of writing options directly on the underlying securities or other assets or purchasing and selling the underlying futures contracts. Such options generally operate in the same manner as options purchased or written directly on the underlying investments. A futures option gives the holder, in return for the premium paid, the right, but not the obligation, to buy from (call) or sell to (put) the writer of the option a futures contract at a specified price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise, the writer of the option is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of the futures contract and the exercise price. Like the buyer or seller of a futures contract, the holder or writer of an option has the right to terminate its position prior to the scheduled expiration of the option by selling or purchasing an option of the same series, at which time the person entering into the closing purchase transaction will realize a gain or loss. There is no guarantee that such closing purchase transactions can be effected.
A Fund will enter into written options on futures contracts only when, in compliance with regulatory requirements, it has designated cash or liquid securities at least equal in value to the underlying security’s or other asset’s value (less any applicable margin deposits). A Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers’ requirements similar to those described above.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 32

 

Options on Index Futures Contracts. A Fund may also purchase and sell options on index futures contracts. Options on index futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in an index futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the index futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the index future. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the closing level of the index on which the future is based on the expiration date. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. A Fund may use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in a reference rate, such as LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked.
Options
Options on Stocks, Stock Indices and Other Indices. A Fund may purchase and write ( i.e. , sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular stocks or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC). Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks.
There is a key difference between stock options and index options in connection with their exercise. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the securities included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the S&P 500 ® Index or a narrower market index, such as the S&P 100 ® Index. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment.
A Fund may, for the purpose of hedging its portfolio, subject to applicable securities regulations, purchase and write put and call options on foreign stock indices listed on foreign and domestic stock exchanges.
As an alternative to purchasing call and put options on index futures, a Fund may purchase call and put options on the underlying indices themselves. Such options could be used in a manner identical to the use of options on index futures. Options involving securities indices provide the holder with the right to make or receive a cash settlement upon exercise of the option based on movements in the relevant index. Such options must be listed on a national securities exchange and issued by the OCC. Such options may relate to particular securities or to various stock indices, except that a Fund may not write covered options on an index.
Writing Covered Options. A Fund may write covered call options and covered put options on securities held in its portfolio. Call options written by a Fund give the purchaser the right to buy the underlying securities from a Fund at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the security’s market price; put options give the purchaser the right to sell the underlying securities to a Fund at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the security’s market price.
A Fund may write covered options, which means that, so long as a Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the underlying securities subject to the option (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of securities exchanges). In the case of put options, a Fund will hold liquid assets equal to the price to be paid if the option is exercised. In addition, a Fund will be considered to have covered a put or call option if and to the extent that it holds an option that offsets some or all of the risk of the option it has written. A Fund may write combinations of covered puts and calls (straddles) on the same underlying security.
A Fund will receive a premium from writing a put or call option, which increases a Fund’s return on the underlying security if the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other things, the relationship between the exercise price and the current market value of the underlying security, the volatility of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and demand in the options market and in the market for the underlying security. By writing a call option, a Fund limits its opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option but continues to bear the risk of a
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 33

 

decline in the value of the underlying security. By writing a put option, a Fund assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price higher than the security’s then-current market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the security subsequently appreciates in value.
A Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by a Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an offsetting option of the same series ( i.e. , same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected in order to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. A Fund realizes a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the transaction (option premium plus transaction costs) is less or more than the premium received from writing the option. Because increases in the market price of a call option generally reflect increases in the market price of the security underlying the option, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction may be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security.
If a Fund writes a call option but does not own the underlying security, and when it writes a put option, a Fund may be required to deposit cash or securities with its broker as “margin” or collateral for its obligation to buy or sell the underlying security. As the value of the underlying security varies, a Fund may also have to deposit additional margin with the broker. Margin requirements are complex and are fixed by individual brokers, subject to minimum requirements currently imposed by the Federal Reserve Board and by stock exchanges and other self-regulatory organizations.
Purchasing Put Options. A Fund may purchase put options to protect its portfolio holdings in an underlying security against a decline in market value. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the put option since a Fund, as holder of the put option, is able to sell the underlying security at the put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying security’s market price. For a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this manner, a Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized from appreciation of the underlying security by the premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs.
Purchasing Call Options. A Fund may purchase call options, including call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that a Fund wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since a Fund, as holder of the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying security’s market price. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit a Fund might have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Options. OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) are generally established through negotiation with the other party to the options contract. A Fund will enter into OTC options transactions only with primary dealers in U.S. Government securities and, in the case of OTC options written by a Fund, only pursuant to agreements that will assure that a Fund will at all times have the right to repurchase the option written by it from the dealer at a specified formula price.
Swap Agreements
General . Swap agreements are derivative instruments that can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease a Fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates, foreign currency values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices or inflation rates. A Fund may enter into a variety of swap agreements, including interest rate, index, commodity, commodity futures, equity, equity index, credit default, bond futures, total return, currency exchange rate, and other types of swap agreements such as caps, collars and floors. A Fund also may enter into swaptions, which are options to enter into a swap agreement.
Swap agreements are usually entered into without an upfront payment because the value of each party’s position is the same. The market values of the underlying commitments will change over time, resulting in one of the commitments being worth more than the other and the net market value creating a risk exposure for one party or the other.
In a typical interest rate swap, one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a floating interest rate times a “notional principal amount,” in return for payments equal to a fixed rate times the same amount, for a specified period of time. If a swap agreement provides for payments in different currencies, the parties might agree to exchange notional principal amounts as well. In a total return swap agreement, the non-floating rate side of the swap is based on the total return of an individual security, a basket of securities, an index or another reference asset. Swaps may also depend on other prices or rates, such as the value of an index or mortgage prepayment rates.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 34

 

In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. A collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor. In interest rate collar transactions, one party sells a cap and purchases a floor, or vice versa, in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels or collar amounts.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if a Fund agreed to pay fixed rates in exchange for floating rates while holding fixed-rate bonds, the swap would tend to decrease a Fund’s exposure to long-term interest rates. Another example is if a Fund agreed to exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency. In that case, the swap agreement would tend to decrease a Fund’s exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates.
Because swaps are two-party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. If a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.
Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. When a counterparty’s obligations are not fully secured by collateral, then the Fund is essentially an unsecured creditor of the counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that a counterparty will be able to meet its obligations pursuant to such contracts or that, in the event of default, the Fund will succeed in enforcing contractual remedies. Counterparty risk still exists even if a counterparty’s obligations are secured by collateral because the Fund’s interest in collateral may not be perfected or additional collateral may not be promptly posted as required. Counterparty risk also may be more pronounced if a counterparty’s obligations exceed the amount of collateral held by the Fund (if any), the Fund is unable to exercise its interest in collateral upon default by the counterparty, or the termination value of the instrument varies significantly from the marked-to-market value of the instrument.
Counterparty risk with respect to derivatives will be affected by new rules and regulations affecting the derivatives market. Some derivatives transactions are required to be centrally cleared, and a party to a cleared derivatives transaction is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. Credit risk of market participants with respect to derivatives that are centrally cleared is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. A clearing member is obligated by contract and by applicable regulation to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the clearing member may invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of a Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of a Fund’s clearing member, because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s customers for a relevant account class. Also, the clearing member is required to transfer to the clearing organization the amount of margin required by the clearing organization for cleared derivatives, which amounts are generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization for all customers of the clearing member. Regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the amount of initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing organization that is attributable to each customer. However, if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting, the Funds are subject to the risk that a clearing organization will use a Fund’s assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing organization. In addition, clearing members generally provide to the clearing organization the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount of each customer. The Funds are therefore subject to the risk that a clearing organization will not make variation margin payments owed to a Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default, and the risk that a Fund will be required to provide additional variation margin to the clearing house before the clearing house will move the Fund’s cleared derivatives transactions to another clearing member. In addition, if a clearing member does not comply with the applicable regulations or its agreement with the Funds, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, a Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the clearing member with respect to the margin held by the clearing member.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 35

 

Interest Rate Swaps. Interest rate swap agreements are often used to obtain or preserve a desired return or spread at a lower cost than through a direct investment in an instrument that yields the desired return or spread. They are financial instruments that involve the exchange of one type of interest rate cash flow for another type of interest rate cash flow on specified dates in the future. In a standard interest rate swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange their respective commitments to pay fixed or floating interest rates on a predetermined specified (notional) amount. The swap agreement’s notional amount is the predetermined basis for calculating the obligations that the swap counterparties have agreed to exchange. Under most swap agreements, the obligations of the parties are exchanged on a net basis. The two payment streams are netted out, with each party receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, Treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
Credit Default Swap Agreements. A Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements, which may have as reference obligations one or more securities or a basket of securities that are or are not currently held by a Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap. If a Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, a Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, a Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to risks relating to the reference obligation, credit default swaps are subject to liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements generally with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. A buyer generally will lose its investment and recover nothing if no credit event occurs and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller.
A Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). For bilateral credit default swaps (CDS) where the Fund is the seller of protection, the Fund will cover the full notional amount of the swap minus any collateral on deposit. In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the buyer, the Fund will segregate or designate cash or other liquid assets in accordance with its policies and procedures. Such segregation or designation will ensure that a Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction. Such segregation or designation will not limit a Fund’s exposure to loss.
Equity Swaps. A Fund may engage in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to the swap agreement to exchange components of return on one equity investment ( e.g. , a basket of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment, including an exchange of differential rates of return. Equity swaps may be used to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances where direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impractical. Equity swaps also may be used for other purposes, such as hedging or seeking to increase total return.
Total Return Swap Agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of the assets underlying the contract, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to a Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Total return swap agreements are subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations to a Fund thereunder, and conversely, that a Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, a Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis ( i.e. , the two payment streams are netted against one another with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each total return swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be designated by a Fund in its books and records. If the total return swap transaction is entered into on other than a net basis, the full amount of a Fund’s obligations will
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 36

 

be accrued on a daily basis, and the full amount of a Fund’s obligations will be designated by a Fund in an amount equal to or greater than the market value of the liabilities under the total return swap agreement or the amount it would have cost a Fund initially to make an equivalent direct investment, plus or minus any amount a Fund is obligated to pay or is to receive under the total return swap agreement.
Variance, Volatility and Correlation Swap Agreements. Variance and volatility swaps are contracts that provide exposure to increases or decreases in the volatility of certain referenced assets. Correlation swaps are contracts that provide exposure to increases or decreases in the correlation between the prices of different assets or different market rates.
Commodity-Linked Swaps. Commodity-linked swaps are two-party contracts in which the parties agree to exchange the return or interest rate on one instrument for the return of a particular commodity, commodity index or commodities futures or options contract. The payment streams are calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount. A one-period swap contract operates in a manner similar to a forward or futures contract because there is an agreement to swap a commodity for cash at only one forward date. A Fund may engage in swap transactions that have more than one period and therefore more than one exchange of commodities.
A Fund may invest in total return commodity swaps to gain exposure to the overall commodity markets. In a total return commodity swap, a Fund will receive the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. If the commodity swap is for one period, the Fund will pay a fixed fee, established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is more than one period, with interim swap payments, the Fund will pay an adjustable or floating fee. With a “floating” rate, the fee is pegged to a reference rate such as LIBOR, and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, a Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.
Cross Currency Swaps. Cross currency swaps are similar to interest rate swaps, except that they involve multiple currencies. A Fund may enter into a cross currency swap when it has exposure to one currency and desires exposure to a different currency. Typically, the interest rates that determine the currency swap payments are fixed, although occasionally one or both parties may pay a floating rate of interest. Unlike an interest rate swap, however, the principal amounts are exchanged at the beginning of the contract and returned at the end of the contract. In addition to paying and receiving amounts at the beginning and termination of the agreements, both sides will have to pay in full periodically based upon the currency they have borrowed. Changes in foreign exchange currency rates and changes in interest rates, as described above, may negatively affect currency swaps.
Contracts for Differences. Contracts for differences are swap arrangements in which the parties agree that their return (or loss) will be based on the relative performance of two different groups or baskets of securities. Often, one or both baskets will be an established securities index. A Fund’s return will be based on changes in value of theoretical long futures positions in the securities comprising one basket (with an aggregate face value equal to the notional amount of the contract for differences) and theoretical short futures positions in the securities comprising the other basket. A Fund also may use actual long and short futures positions and achieve similar market exposure by netting the payment obligations of the two contracts. A Fund typically enters into contracts for differences (and analogous futures positions) when its portfolio manager believes that the basket of securities constituting the long position will outperform the basket constituting the short position. If the short basket outperforms the long basket, a Fund will realize a loss — even in circumstances when the securities in both the long and short baskets appreciate in value.
Swaptions. A swaption is an options contract on a swap agreement. These transactions give a party the right (but not the obligation) to enter into new swap agreements or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement (which are described herein) at some designated future time on specified terms, in return for payment of the purchase price (the “premium”) of the option. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions to the same extent it may make use of standard options on securities or other instruments. The writer of the contract receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the market value on the underlying swap agreement. Swaptions can be bundled and sold as a package. These are commonly called interest rate caps, floors and collars (which are described herein).
Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively. Many over-the-counter derivatives are complex and their valuation often requires modeling and judgment, which increases the risk of mispricing or incorrect valuation. The pricing models used may not produce valuations that are consistent with the values the Fund realizes when it closes or sells an over-the-counter derivative. Valuation risk is more pronounced when the Fund enters into over-the-counter derivatives with specialized terms because the market value of those derivatives in some cases is determined in part by reference to similar derivatives with more standardized terms. Incorrect valuations may result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties, undercollateralization and/or errors in calculation of the Fund’s net asset value.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 37

 

Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) established a framework for the regulation of OTC swap markets; the framework outlined the joint responsibility of the CFTC and the SEC in regulating swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of swaps, the SEC is responsible for the regulation of security-based swaps and they are both jointly responsible for the regulation of mixed swaps.
Risk of Potential Governmental Regulation of Derivatives
It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Funds from using such instruments as a part of their investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Funds from being able to achieve their investment objectives. The effects of present or future legislation and regulation in this area are not known, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.
The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.
The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in a Fund or the ability of a Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act, which was signed into law in July 2010, has changed the way in which the U.S. financial system is supervised and regulated. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a new legislative framework for OTC derivatives, such as swaps, in which the Funds may invest. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and will require clearing of many OTC derivatives transactions.
Recent U.S. and non-U.S. legislative and regulatory reforms, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Act, have resulted in, and may in the future result in, new regulation of derivative instruments and the Fund's use of such instruments. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund's ability to engage in derivative transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivative instruments or transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such transactions, and the Fund may as a result be unable to execute its investment strategies in a manner the Investment Manager might otherwise choose.
Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions
Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps (including interest rate swaps and credit default swaps on North American and European indices) are required to be centrally cleared. In a transaction involving those swaps (“cleared derivatives”), a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Funds are not members of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Funds will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the Funds will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through their accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house.
In many ways, centrally cleared derivative arrangements are less favorable to open-end funds than bilateral arrangements. For example, the Funds may be required to provide greater amounts of margin for cleared derivatives positions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to a bilateral derivatives position, following a period of notice to a Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of an existing cleared derivatives position at any time or increases in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing positions or to terminate those positions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination of existing cleared derivatives positions by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of a Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Further, any increase in margin requirements by a clearing member could also expose a Fund to greater credit risk to its clearing member, because margin for cleared derivatives transactions in excess of clearing house’s margin requirements typically is held by the clearing member. Also, a Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Investment Manager expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund’s behalf. While the documentation in place between the Funds and their clearing members generally provides that the clearing members will accept for clearing all transactions submitted for clearing that are within credit limits (specified in advance) for each Fund, the Funds are still subject to the risk that no clearing member will be willing or able to clear a transaction. In those cases, the position might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the position, including loss of an increase in the value of the position and/or loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Funds and clearing members is developed by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Funds than typical bilateral derivatives documentation. For example, documentation relating to cleared derivatives generally includes a one-way indemnity
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 38

 

by the Funds in favor of the clearing member for losses the clearing member incurs as the Funds’ clearing member and typically does not provide the Funds any remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent. While futures contracts entail similar risks, the risks likely are more pronounced for cleared swaps due to their more limited liquidity and market history.
Some types of cleared derivatives are required to be executed on an exchange or on a swap execution facility. A swap execution facility is a trading platform where multiple market participants can execute derivatives by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants in the platform. While this execution requirement is designed to increase transparency and liquidity in the cleared derivatives market, trading on a swap execution facility can create additional costs and risks for the Funds. For example, swap execution facilities typically charge fees, and if a Fund executes derivatives on a swap execution facility through a broker intermediary, the intermediary may impose fees as well. Also, a Fund may indemnify a swap execution facility, or a broker intermediary who executes cleared derivatives on a swap execution facility on the Fund’s behalf, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Fund’s transactions on the swap execution facility.
These and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, further restrict a Fund’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. These regulations are new and evolving, so their potential impact on the Funds and the financial system are not yet known. While the new regulations and the central clearing of some derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk ( i.e. , the risk that the interdependence of large derivatives dealers could cause a number of those dealers to suffer liquidity, solvency or other challenges simultaneously), there is no assurance that the new clearing mechanisms will achieve that result, and in the meantime, as noted above, central clearing and related requirements expose the Funds to new kinds of risks and costs.
CFTC Regulation
Pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA, VP - Commodity Strategy Fund no longer qualifies for an exclusion from the definition of a commodity pool. Accordingly, the Fund is registered as a "commodity pool" and the Investment Manager is registered as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund under the CEA.
Each of the other Funds listed on the cover of this SAI qualifies for an exclusion from the definition of a commodity pool under the CEA and has on file a notice of exclusion under CFTC Rule 4.5. Accordingly, the Investment Manager is not subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA with respect to these Funds, although the Investment Manager is a registered “commodity pool operator” and “commodity trading advisor”. To remain eligible for the exclusion, each of these Funds is limited in its ability to use certain financial instruments regulated under the CEA (“commodity interests”), including futures and options on futures and certain swaps transactions. In the event that a Fund’s investments in commodity interests are not within the thresholds set forth in the exclusion, one or more Funds not currently registered as a “commodity pool” may be required to register as such, which could increase Fund expenses, adversely affecting the Fund’s total return.
Dollar Rolls
Dollar rolls involve selling securities ( e.g. , mortgage-backed securities or U.S. Treasury securities) and simultaneously entering into a commitment to purchase those or similar securities on a specified future date and price from the same party. Mortgage dollar rolls and U.S. Treasury rolls are types of dollar rolls. A Fund foregoes principal and interest paid on the securities during the “roll” period. A Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase of the securities, as well as the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. The investor also could be compensated through the receipt of fee income equivalent to a lower forward price. Dollar roll transactions may result in higher transaction costs for a Fund.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with mortgage dollar rolls include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk and Interest Rate Risk.
Exchange-traded notes (ETNs)
ETNs are instruments that combine aspects of bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and are designed to provide investors with access to the returns, less investor fees and expenses, of various market benchmarks or strategies to which they are usually linked. When an investor buys an ETN, the issuer, typically an underwriting bank, promises to pay upon maturity the amount reflected in the benchmark or strategy (minus fees and expenses). Some ETNs make periodic coupon payments. Like ETFs, ETNs are traded on an exchange, but ETNs have additional risks compared to ETFs, including the risk that if the credit of the ETN issuer becomes suspect, the investment might lose some or all of its value. Though linked to the performance, for example, of a market benchmark, ETNs are not equities or index funds, but they do share several characteristics. Similar to equities, ETNs are traded on an exchange and can be sold short. Similar to index funds, ETNs may be linked to the return of a benchmark or strategy, but ETNs do not have an ownership interest in the instruments underlying the benchmark or strategy the ETN is tracking.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 39

 

Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with exchange-traded notes include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk and Market Risk.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Because investments in foreign securities usually involve currencies of foreign countries and because a Fund may hold cash and cash equivalent investments in foreign currencies, the value of a Fund’s assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. Also, a Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate. Currency exchange rates are generally determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates, and other complex factors. Currency exchange rates also can be affected by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments.
Spot Rates and Derivative Instruments . A Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either at the spot (cash) rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or by entering into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (forward contracts). (See Types of Investments – Derivatives .) These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market might involve substantially larger amounts than those involved in the use of such derivative instruments, a Fund could be disadvantaged by having to deal in the odd lot market for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
A Fund may enter into forward contracts for a variety of reasons, including for risk management (hedging) or for investment purposes.
When a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency or has been notified of a dividend or interest payment, it may desire to lock in the price of the security or the amount of the payment, usually in U.S. dollars, although it could desire to lock in the price of the security in another currency. By entering into a forward contract, a Fund would be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between different currencies from the date the security is purchased or sold to the date on which payment is made or received or when the dividend or interest is actually received.
A Fund may enter into forward contracts when management of the Fund believes the currency of a particular foreign country may decline in value relative to another currency. When selling currencies forward in this fashion, a Fund may seek to hedge the value of foreign securities it holds against an adverse move in exchange rates. The precise matching of forward contract amounts and the value of securities involved generally will not be possible since the future value of securities in foreign currencies more than likely will change between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult and successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
This method of protecting the value of a Fund’s securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange that can be achieved at some point in time. Although forward contracts can be used to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in value of hedged currency, they will also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of such currency increase.
A Fund may also enter into forward contracts when the Fund’s portfolio manager believes the currency of a particular country will increase in value relative to another currency. A Fund may buy currencies forward to gain exposure to a currency without incurring the additional costs of purchasing securities denominated in that currency.
For example, the combination of U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with long forward currency exchange contracts creates a position economically equivalent to a position in the foreign currency, in anticipation of an increase in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the combination of U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with short forward currency exchange contracts is economically equivalent to borrowing the foreign currency for delivery at a specified date in the future, in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar.
Unanticipated changes in the currency exchange results could result in poorer performance for Funds that enter into these types of transactions.
A Fund may designate cash or securities in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to consummating forward contracts entered into under the circumstance set forth above. If the value of the securities declines, additional cash or securities will be designated on a daily basis so that the value of the cash or securities will equal the amount of the Fund’s commitments on such contracts.
At maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may either deliver (if a contract to sell) or take delivery of (if a contract to buy) the foreign currency or terminate its contractual obligation by entering into an offsetting contract with the same currency trader, having the same maturity date, and covering the same amount of foreign currency.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 40

 

If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it will incur a gain or loss to the extent there has been movement in forward contract prices. If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract to buy or sell the foreign currency.
Although a Fund values its assets each business day in terms of U.S. dollars, it may not intend to convert its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. However, it will do so from time to time, and such conversions involve certain currency conversion costs. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should a Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
It is possible, under certain circumstances, including entering into forward currency contracts for investment purposes, that a Fund will be required to limit or restructure its forward contract currency transactions to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Code.
Options on Foreign Currencies. A Fund may buy put and call options and write covered call and cash-secured put options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes and to gain exposure to foreign currencies. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In order to protect against the diminutions in the value of securities, a Fund may buy put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline, a Fund would have the right to sell the currency for a fixed amount in dollars and would thereby offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio that otherwise would have resulted.
Conversely, where a change in the dollar value of a currency would increase the cost of securities a Fund plans to buy, or where a Fund would benefit from increased exposure to the currency, a Fund may buy call options on the foreign currency, giving it the right to purchase the currency for a fixed amount in dollars. The purchase of the options could offset, at least partially, the changes in exchange rates.
As in the case of other types of options, however, the benefit to a Fund derived from purchases of foreign currency options would be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, a Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options that would require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in rates.
A Fund may write options on foreign currencies for similar purposes. For example, when a Fund anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign-denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates, it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option on the relevant currency, giving the option holder the right to purchase that currency from the Fund for a fixed amount in dollars. If the expected decline occurs, the option would most likely not be exercised and the diminution in value of securities would be offset, at least partially, by the amount of the premium received.
Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option when a foreign currency is expected to appreciate, a Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency, giving the option holder the right to that currency from the Fund for a fixed amount in dollars. If rates move in the manner projected, the put option would expire unexercised and allow the Fund to hedge increased cost up to the amount of the premium.
As in the case of other types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund would be required to buy or sell the underlying currency at a loss that may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits that might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements on exchange rates.
An option written on foreign currencies is covered if a Fund holds currency sufficient to cover the option or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that currency without additional cash consideration upon conversion of assets denominated in that currency or exchange of other currency held in its portfolio. An option writer could lose amounts substantially in excess of its initial investments, due to the margin and collateral requirements associated with such positions.
Options on foreign currencies are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign currency options also are traded on certain national securities exchanges, such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, subject to SEC regulation. In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 41

 

Foreign currency option positions entered into on a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the OCC, thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting a Fund to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.
Foreign Currency Futures and Related Options. A Fund may enter into currency futures contracts to buy or sell currencies. It also may buy put and call options and write covered call and cash-secured put options on currency futures. Currency futures contracts are similar to currency forward contracts, except that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures call for payment of delivery in U.S. dollars. A Fund may use currency futures for the same purposes as currency forward contracts, subject to CFTC limitations.
Currency futures and options on futures values can be expected to correlate with exchange rates, but will not reflect other factors that may affect the value of the Fund’s investments. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a Yen-denominated bond against a decline in the Yen, but will not protect a Fund against price decline if the issuer’s creditworthiness deteriorates. Because the value of a Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currency will change in response to many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of a forward contract to the value of a Fund’s investments denominated in that currency over time.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with foreign currency transactions include: Foreign Currency Risk, Derivatives Risk, Interest Rate Risk, and Liquidity Risk.
Foreign Securities
Unless otherwise stated in a Fund’s prospectus, stocks, bonds and other securities or investments are deemed to be “foreign” based primarily on the issuer’s place of organization/incorporation, but the Fund may also consider the issuer’s domicile, its principal place of business, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of its revenue or other factors. A Fund’s investments in foreign markets, may include issuers in emerging markets, as well as frontier markets, each of which carry heightened risks as compared with investments in other typical foreign markets. Unless otherwise stated in a Fund’s prospectus, emerging market countries are generally those either defined by World Bank-defined per capita income brackets or determined to be an emerging market based on the Fund portfolio manager’s qualitative judgments about a country’s level of economic and institutional development, among other factors. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than typical emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to investing in more developed markets) and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries. Foreign securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, — Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Due to the potential for foreign withholding taxes, MSCI publishes two versions of its indices reflecting the reinvestment of dividends using two different methodologies: gross dividends and net dividends. While both versions reflect reinvested dividends, they differ with respect to the manner in which taxes associated with dividend payments are treated. In calculating the net dividends version, MSCI incorporates reinvested dividends applying the withholding tax rate applicable to foreign non-resident institutional investors that do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Investment Manager believes that the net dividends version of MSCI indices better reflects the returns U.S. investors might expect were they to invest directly in the component securities of an MSCI index.
There is a practice in certain foreign markets under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where such shares are voted. This is referred to as “share blocking.” The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent a Fund from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country. As a consequence of these restrictions, the Investment Manager, on behalf of a Fund, may abstain from voting proxies in markets that require share blocking.
Foreign securities may include depositary receipts, such as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts issued in registered form by a domestic bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. EDRs are foreign currency-denominated receipts issued in Europe, typically by foreign banks or trust companies and foreign branches of domestic banks, that evidence ownership of foreign or domestic securities. GDRs are receipts structured similarly to ADRs and EDRs and are marketed globally. Depositary receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. In general, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 42

 

are designed for use throughout the world. A Fund may invest in depositary receipts through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute interest holder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be limited information available regarding such issuers and/or limited correlation between available information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with foreign securities include: Emerging Markets Securities Risk, Foreign Currency Risk, Foreign Securities Risk, Frontier Market Risk, Geographic Focus Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Guaranteed Investment Contracts (Funding Agreements)
Guaranteed investment contracts, or funding agreements, are short-term, privately placed debt instruments issued by insurance companies. Pursuant to such contracts, a Fund may make cash contributions to a deposit fund of the insurance company’s general account. The insurance company then credits to a Fund payments at negotiated, floating or fixed interest rates. A Fund will purchase guaranteed investment contracts only from issuers that, at the time of purchase, meet certain credit and quality standards. In general, guaranteed investment contracts are not assignable or transferable without the permission of the issuing insurance companies, and an active secondary market does not exist for these investments. In addition, the issuer may not be able to pay the principal amount to a Fund on seven days’ notice or less, at which time the investment may be considered illiquid. See Types of Investments – Illiquid Investments .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with guaranteed investment contracts (funding agreements) include: Credit Risk and Liquidity Risk.
High-Yield Securities
High-yield, or low and below investment grade securities (below investment grade securities are also known as “junk bonds”) are debt securities with the lowest investment grade rating ( e.g. , BBB by S&P and Fitch or Baa by Moody’s), that are below investment grade ( e.g. , lower than BBB by S&P and Fitch or Baa by Moody’s) or that are unrated but determined by a Fund’s portfolio manager to be of comparable quality. These types of securities may be issued to fund corporate transactions or restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, debt reclassifications or similar events, are more speculative in nature than securities with higher ratings and tend to be more sensitive to credit risk, particularly during a downturn in the economy. These types of securities generally are issued by unseasoned companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by companies or municipalities that have questionable credit strength. High-yield securities and comparable unrated securities: (i) likely will have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of one or more NRSROs, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions; (ii) are speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation; and (iii) may have a less liquid secondary market, potentially making it difficult to value or sell such securities. Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of lower-quality securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the issuer that affect the market value of the securities. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality. High-yield securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
The rates of return on these types of securities generally are higher than the rates of return available on more highly rated securities, but generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of principal and income, including the possibility of default by or insolvency of the issuers of such securities. Accordingly, a Fund may be more dependent on the Investment Manager’s (or, if applicable, a subadviser’s) credit analysis with respect to these types of securities than is the case for more highly rated securities.
The market values of certain high-yield securities and comparable unrated securities tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than are the market values of more highly rated securities. In addition, issuers of high-yield and comparable unrated securities often are highly leveraged and may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them, so that their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 43

 

The risk of loss due to default is greater for high-yield and comparable unrated securities than it is for higher rated securities because high-yield securities and comparable unrated securities generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to more senior indebtedness. A Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent that it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its holdings of such securities. The existence of limited markets for lower-rated debt securities may diminish a Fund’s ability to: (i) obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing such securities and calculating portfolio net asset value; and (ii) sell the securities at fair market value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in the economy or in financial markets.
Many lower-rated securities are not registered for offer and sale to the public under the 1933 Act. Investments in these restricted securities may be determined to be liquid (able to be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven days or less without the sales or dispositions significantly changing the market value of the investment) pursuant to the Funds’ liquidity risk management program. A Fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire any illiquid investments if, immediately after the acquisition, the value of illiquid investments held by the Fund would exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets. A Fund is not otherwise subject to any limitation on its ability to invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities may be less liquid than other lower-rated securities, potentially making it difficult to value or sell such securities.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with high-yield securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, High-Yield Securities Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Illiquid Investments
An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Some securities, such as those not registered under U.S. securities laws, cannot be sold in public transactions. Some securities are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale. Subject to its investment policies, a Fund may invest in illiquid investments and may invest in certain restricted securities that are deemed to be illiquid investments at the time of purchase.
The Funds have implemented certain portions of a written liquidity risk management program and related procedures (“Liquidity Program”) that is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Funds' “liquidity risk” (defined by the SEC as the risk that a Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Funds without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund). The remaining portions of the Liquidity Program will be implemented by June, 1 2019, in accordance with SEC requirements.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risk typically associated with illiquid investments include: Liquidity Risk.
Inflation-Protected Securities
Inflation is a general rise in prices of goods and services. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of an investor’s assets. For example, if an investment provides a total return of 7% in a given year and inflation is 3% during that period, the inflation-adjusted, or real, return is 4%. Inflation-protected securities are debt securities whose principal and/or interest payments are adjusted for inflation, unlike debt securities that make fixed principal and interest payments. One type of inflation-protected debt security is issued by the U.S. Treasury. The principal of these securities is adjusted for inflation as indicated by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers and interest is paid on the adjusted amount. The CPI is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy.
If the CPI falls, the principal value of inflation-protected securities will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Conversely, if the CPI rises, the principal value of inflation-protected securities will be adjusted upward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities will be increased. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the inflation-protected securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Other inflation-indexed securities include inflation-related bonds, which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
Other issuers of inflation-protected debt securities include other U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, corporations and foreign governments. There can be no assurance that the CPI or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 44

 

Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with inflation-protected securities include: Inflation-Protected Securities Risk, Interest Rate Risk and Market Risk. In addition, inflation-protected securities issued by non-U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities are subject to Credit Risk.
Initial Public Offerings
A Fund may invest in initial public offerings (IPOs) of common stock or other primary or secondary syndicated offerings of equity or debt securities issued by a corporate issuer. Fixed income funds frequently invest in these types of offerings of debt securities. A purchase of IPO securities often involves higher transaction costs than those associated with the purchase of securities already traded on exchanges or markets. A Fund may hold IPO securities for a period of time, or may sell them soon after the purchase. Investments in IPOs could have a magnified impact — either positive or negative — on a Fund’s performance while the Fund’s assets are relatively small. The impact of an IPO on a Fund’s performance may tend to diminish as the Fund’s assets grow. In circumstances when investments in IPOs make a significant contribution to a Fund’s performance, there can be no assurance that similar contributions from IPOs will continue in the future.
Although one or more risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with IPOs include: IPO Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk and Small Company Securities Risk.
Inverse Floaters
See Types of Investments – Derivatives – Indexed or Linked Securities (Structured Products) above.
Investments in Other Investment Companies (Including ETFs)
Investing in other investment companies may be a means by which a Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective. A Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive relief currently or in the future available to a Fund. These securities include shares of other affiliated or unaffiliated open-end investment companies ( i.e. , mutual funds), closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), UCITS funds (pooled investment vehicles established in accordance with the Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) and business development companies.
Except with respect to funds structured as funds-of-funds or so-called master/feeder funds or other funds whose strategies otherwise allow such investments, the 1940 Act generally requires that a fund limit its investments in another investment company or series thereof so that, as determined at the time a securities purchase is made: (i) no more than 5% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company; (ii) no more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of other investment companies; and (iii) no more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company or series thereof will be owned by a fund or by companies controlled by a fund. Such other investment companies may include ETFs, which are shares of publicly traded unit investment trusts, open-end funds or depositary receipts that may be passively managed (e.g., they seek to track the performance of specific indexes or companies in related industries) or they may be actively managed. The SEC has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by certain other registered investment companies in excess of these limits.
ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary market on a per-share basis, which allows investors to purchase and sell ETF shares at their market price throughout the day. Certain ETFs, such as passively managed ETFs, hold portfolios of securities that are designed to replicate, as closely as possible before expenses, the price and yield of a specified market index. The performance results of these ETFs will not replicate exactly the performance of the pertinent index due to transaction and other expenses, including fees to service providers borne by ETFs. ETF shares are sold and redeemed at net asset value only in large blocks called creation units. The Funds’ ability to redeem creation units may be limited by the 1940 Act, which provides that ETFs will not be obligated to redeem shares held by the Funds in an amount exceeding one percent of their total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days.
Although a Fund may derive certain advantages from being able to invest in shares of other investment companies, such as to be fully invested, there may be potential disadvantages. Investing in other investment companies may result in higher fees and expenses for a Fund and its shareholders. A shareholder may be charged fees not only on Fund shares held directly but also on the investment company shares that a Fund purchases. Because these investment companies may invest in other securities, they are also subject to the risks associated with a variety of investment instruments as described in this SAI.
Under the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder, a Fund may purchase shares of affiliated funds, subject to certain conditions. Investing in affiliated funds presents certain actual or potential conflicts of interest. For more information about such actual and potential conflicts of interest, see Investment Management and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest .
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with the securities of other investment companies include: Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk, Investing in Other Funds Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 45

 

Listed Private Equity Funds
A Fund may invest directly in listed private equity funds, which may include, among others, business development companies, investment holding companies, publicly traded limited partnership interests (common units), publicly traded venture capital funds, publicly traded venture capital trusts, publicly traded private equity funds, publicly traded private equity investment trusts, publicly traded closed-end funds, publicly traded financial institutions that lend to or invest in privately held companies and any other publicly traded vehicle whose purpose is to invest in privately held companies.
A Fund may invest in listed private equity funds that hold investments in a wide array of businesses and industries at various stages of development, from early stage to later stage to fully mature businesses. A Fund may invest in listed private equity funds that emphasize making equity and equity-like (preferred stock, convertible stock and warrants) investments in later stage to mature businesses, or may invest in listed private equity funds making debt investments or investments in companies at other stages of development. In addition, a Fund may invest in the common stock of closed-end management investment companies, including business development companies that invest in securities of listed private equity companies.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with investment in listed private equity funds include: Credit Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk, Sector Risk, and Valuation Risk.
Money Market Instruments
Money market instruments include cash equivalents and short-term debt obligations which include: (i) bank obligations, including certificates of deposit (CDs), time deposits and bankers’ acceptances, and letters of credit of banks or savings and loan associations having capital surplus and undivided profits (as of the date of its most recently published annual financial statements) in excess of $100 million (or the equivalent in the instance of a foreign branch of a U.S. bank) at the date of investment; (ii) funding agreements; (iii) repurchase agreements; (iv) obligations of the United States, foreign countries and supranational entities, and each of their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities; (v) certain corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper, short-term corporate obligations and extendible commercial notes; (vi) participation interests; and (vii) municipal securities. Money market instruments may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations and may be privately placed or publicly offered. A Fund may also invest in affiliated and unaffiliated money market mutual funds, which invest primarily in money market instruments. See Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations and — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
With respect to money market securities, certain U.S. Government obligations are backed or insured by the U.S. Government, its agencies or its instrumentalities. Other money market securities are backed only by the claims paying ability or creditworthiness of the issuer.
Bankers’ acceptances are marketable short-term credit instruments used to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. They are termed “accepted” when a bank unconditionally guarantees their payment at maturity.
A Fund may invest its daily cash balance in Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, a money market fund established for the exclusive use of the funds in the Columbia Fund Complex and other institutional clients of the Investment Manager.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with money market instruments include: Credit Risk, Inflation Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk and Money Market Fund Risk.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities are a type of asset-backed security that represent interests in, or debt instruments backed by, pools of underlying mortgages. In some cases, these underlying mortgages may be insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies. Mortgage-backed securities entitle the security holders to receive distributions that are tied to the payments made on the underlying mortgage collateral (less fees paid to the originator, servicer, or other parties, and fees paid for credit enhancement), so that the payments made on the underlying mortgage collateral effectively pass through to such security holders. Mortgage-backed securities are created when mortgage originators (or mortgage loan sellers who have purchased mortgage loans from mortgage loan originators) sell the underlying mortgages to a special purpose entity in a process called a securitization. The special purpose entity issues securities that are backed by the payments on the underlying mortgage loans, and have a minimum denomination and specific term. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders. Mortgage-backed securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Types of Investments — Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, — Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and — Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 46

 

Mortgage-backed securities may be issued or guaranteed by GNMA (also known as Ginnie Mae), FNMA (also known as Fannie Mae), or FHLMC (also known as Freddie Mac), but also may be issued or guaranteed by other issuers, including private companies. GNMA is a government-owned corporation that is an agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-backed securities. Until recently, FNMA and FHLMC were government-sponsored corporations owned entirely by private stockholders. Both issue mortgage-related securities that contain guarantees as to timely payment of interest and principal but that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The value of the companies’ securities fell sharply in 2008 due to concerns that the firms did not have sufficient capital to offset losses. The U.S. Treasury has historically had the authority to purchase obligations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In addition, in 2008, due to capitalization concerns, Congress provided the U.S. Treasury with additional authority to lend Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac emergency funds and to purchase the companies’ stock, as described below. In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been placed in conservatorship.
In the past Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have received significant capital support through U.S. Treasury preferred stock purchases and Federal Reserve purchases of their mortgage-backed securities. There can be no assurance that these or other agencies of the government will provide such support in the future. The future status of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac could be impacted by, among other things, the actions taken and restrictions placed on Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s operations and activities under the senior stock purchase agreements, market responses to developments at Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership structure and/or mission of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The FHFA recently announced plans to consider taking Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship. Should Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be taken out of conservatorship, it is unclear whether the U.S. Treasury would continue to enforce its rights or perform its obligations under the senior stock purchase agreements. It is also unclear how the capital structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be constructed post-conservatorship, and what effects, if any, the privatization of the enterprises will have on their creditworthiness and guarantees of certain mortgage-backed securities. Accordingly, should the FHFA take the enterprises out of conservatorship, there could be an adverse impact on the value of their securities which could cause a Fund’s shares to lose value.
Stripped mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that receives differing proportions of the interest and principal payments from the underlying assets. Generally, there are two classes of stripped mortgage-backed securities: Interest Only (IO) and Principal Only (PO). IOs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the interest on the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. POs entitle the holder to receive distributions consisting of all or a portion of the principal of the underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. See Types of Investments — Debt Obligations - Stripped Securities for more information.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs) are hybrid mortgage-related instruments issued by special purpose entities secured by pools of mortgage loans or other mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage pass-through securities or stripped mortgage-backed securities. CMOs may be structured into multiple classes, often referred to as “tranches,” with each class bearing a different stated maturity and entitled to a different schedule for payments of principal and interest, including prepayments. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than its stated maturity or final distribution dates, resulting in a loss of all or part of the premium if any has been paid. The yield characteristics of mortgage-backed securities differ from those of other debt securities. Among the differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently on mortgage-backed securities, usually monthly, and principal may be repaid at any time. These factors may reduce the expected yield. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a periodic basis. The principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage assets may be allocated among the various classes of CMOs in several ways. Typically, payments of principal, including any prepayments, on the underlying mortgage assets are applied to the classes in the order of their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates, so that no payment of principal is made on CMOs of a class until all CMOs of other classes having earlier stated maturities or final distribution dates have been paid in full.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) are a specific type of mortgage-backed security collateralized by a pool of mortgages on commercial real estate.
CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses and any management fee of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 47

 

will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to pre-payments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-backed securities. In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described below with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances an ETF may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual. CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. Transactions in CMO residuals are generally completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in question. In addition, CMO residuals may or, pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the 1933 Act. CMO residuals, whether or not registered under the 1933 Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid” and subject to a Fund’s limitations on investment in illiquid investments.
Mortgage pass-through securities are interests in pools of mortgage-related securities that differ from other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. Instead, these securities provide a monthly payment which consists of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their residential or commercial mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments are caused by repayments of principal resulting from the sale of the underlying property, refinancing or foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred. Some mortgage-related securities (such as securities issued by the GNMA) are described as “modified pass-through.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, at the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment.
REMICs are entities that own mortgages and elect REMIC status under the Code and, like CMOs, issue debt obligations collateralized by underlying mortgage assets that have characteristics similar to those issued by CMOs.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with mortgage- and asset-backed securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk and Reinvestment Risk.
Municipal Securities
Municipal securities include debt obligations issued by governmental entities, including states, political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, and authorities, as well as U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions (such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and their political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, and authorities, to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities, the refunding of outstanding obligations, the payment of general operating expenses, and the extension of loans to public institutions and facilities.
Municipal securities may include municipal bonds, municipal notes and municipal leases, which are described below. Municipal bonds are debt obligations of a governmental entity that obligate the municipality to pay the holder a specified sum of money at specified intervals and to repay the principal amount of the loan at maturity. Municipal securities can be classified into two principal categories, including “general obligation” bonds and other securities and “revenue” bonds and other securities. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue securities are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source, such as the user of the facility being financed. Municipal securities also may include “moral obligation” securities, which normally are issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation securities is unable to meet its debt service obligations from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund, the restoration of which is a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the governmental entity that created the special purpose public authority. Municipal securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Municipal notes may be issued by governmental entities and other tax-exempt issuers in order to finance short-term cash needs or, occasionally, to finance construction. Most municipal notes are general obligations of the issuing entity payable from taxes or designated revenues expected to be received within the relevant fiscal period. Municipal notes generally have maturities of one year or less. Municipal notes can be subdivided into two sub-categories: (i) municipal commercial paper and (ii) municipal demand obligations.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 48

 

Municipal commercial paper typically consists of very short-term unsecured negotiable promissory notes that are sold, for example, to meet seasonal working capital or interim construction financing needs of a governmental entity or agency. While these obligations are intended to be paid from general revenues or refinanced with long-term debt, they frequently are backed by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other credit facility agreements offered by banks or institutions. See Types of Investments – Commercial Paper for more information.
Municipal demand obligations can be subdivided into two general types: variable rate demand notes and master demand obligations. Variable rate demand notes are tax-exempt municipal obligations or participation interests that provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the notes. They permit the holder to demand payment of the notes, or to demand purchase of the notes at a purchase price equal to the unpaid principal balance, plus accrued interest either directly by the issuer or by drawing on a bank letter of credit or guaranty issued with respect to such note. The issuer of the municipal obligation may have a corresponding right to prepay at its discretion the outstanding principal of the note plus accrued interest upon notice comparable to that required for the holder to demand payment. The variable rate demand notes in which a Fund may invest are payable, or are subject to purchase, on demand, usually on notice of seven calendar days or less. The terms of the notes generally provide that interest rates are adjustable at intervals ranging from daily to six months.
Master demand obligations are tax-exempt municipal obligations that provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid and permit daily changes in the amount borrowed. The interest on such obligations is, in the opinion of counsel for the borrower, excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes (but not necessarily for alternative minimum tax purposes). Although there is no secondary market for master demand obligations, such obligations are considered by a Fund to be liquid because they are payable upon demand.
Municipal lease obligations are participations in privately arranged loans to state or local government borrowers and may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase, or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment, and facilities. An investor may purchase these obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such obligations. In general, municipal lease obligations are unrated, in which case they will be determined by a Fund’s portfolio manager to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase to rated instruments that may be acquired by a Fund. Frequently, privately arranged loans have variable interest rates and may be backed by a bank letter of credit. In other cases, they may be unsecured or may be secured by assets not easily liquidated.
Moreover, such loans in most cases are not backed by the taxing authority of the issuers and may have limited marketability or may be marketable only by virtue of a provision requiring repayment following demand by the lender.
Municipal leases may be subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds. State constitutions and statutes set forth requirements that states or municipalities must meet in order to issue municipal obligations. Municipal leases may contain a covenant by the state or municipality to budget for and make payments due under the obligation. Certain municipal leases may, however, provide that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year.
Although lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipal issuer to which the government’s taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation ordinarily is backed by the government’s covenant to budget for, appropriate, and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses that provide that the government has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a periodic basis. In the case of a “non-appropriation” lease, a Fund’s ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default likely will be limited to the repossession of the leased property in the event that foreclosure proves difficult.
Tender option bonds are municipal securities having relatively long maturities and bearing interest at a fixed interest rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax-exempt rates that is coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, to grant the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. The financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the municipal security’s coupon rate and the rate that would cause the security to trade at face value on the date of determination.
There are variations in the quality of municipal securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications, and the rates of return on municipal securities can depend on a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. The ratings of NRSROs represent their opinions as to the quality of municipal securities. It should be emphasized, however, that these ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality, and municipal securities with the same maturity, interest rate, and rating may have different rates of return while municipal securities of the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same rate of return. The municipal bond market is characterized by a large number of different issuers, many having smaller sized bond issues, and a wide choice of different
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 49

 

maturities within each issue. For these reasons, most municipal bonds do not trade on a daily basis and many trade only rarely. Because many of these bonds trade infrequently, the spread between the bid and offer may be wider and the time needed to develop a bid or an offer may be longer than for other security markets. See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. (See Types of Investments – Debt Obligations .)
Standby Commitments. Standby commitments are securities under which a purchaser, usually a bank or broker-dealer, agrees to purchase, for a fee, an amount of a Fund’s municipal obligations. The amount payable by a bank or broker-dealer to purchase securities subject to a standby commitment typically will be substantially the same as the value of the underlying municipal securities. A Fund may pay for standby commitments either separately in cash or by paying a higher price for portfolio securities that are acquired subject to such a commitment.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with standby commitments include: Counterparty Risk, Market Risk and Municipal Securities Risk.
Taxable Municipal Obligations. Interest or other investment return is subject to federal income tax for certain types of municipal obligations for a variety of reasons. These municipal obligations do not qualify for the federal income tax exemption because (a) they did not receive necessary authorization for tax-exempt treatment from state or local government authorities, (b) they exceed certain regulatory limitations on the cost of issuance for tax-exempt financing or (c) they finance public or private activities that do not qualify for the federal income tax exemption. These non-qualifying activities might include, for example, certain types of multi-family housing, certain professional and local sports facilities, refinancing of certain municipal debt, and borrowing to replenish a municipality’s underfunded pension plan.
See Appendix A for a discussion of securities ratings. (See Types of Investments – Debt Obligations .)
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with municipal securities include: Credit Risk, Inflation Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Market Risk and Municipal Securities Risk.
Participation Interests
Participation interests (also called pass-through certificates or securities) represent an interest in a pool of debt obligations, such as municipal bonds or notes that have been “packaged” by an intermediary, such as a bank or broker-dealer. Participation interests typically are issued by partnerships or trusts through which a Fund receives principal and interest payments that are passed through to the holder of the participation interest from the payments made on the underlying debt obligations. The purchaser of a participation interest receives an undivided interest in the underlying debt obligations. The issuers of the underlying debt obligations make interest and principal payments to the intermediary, as an initial purchaser, which are passed through to purchasers in the secondary market, such as a Fund. Mortgage-backed securities are a common type of participation interest. Participation interests may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations or as zero-coupon, pay-in- kind and step-coupon securities and may be privately placed or publicly offered. See Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations, – Debt Obligations – Zero-Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-Coupon Securities and – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Loan participations also are a type of participation interest. Loans, loan participations, and interests in securitized loan pools are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other borrower to a lender or consortium of lenders (typically banks, insurance companies, investment banks, government agencies, or international agencies).
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with loan participations include: Confidential Information Access Risk, Credit Risk and Interest Rate Risk.
Partnership Securities
The Fund may invest in securities issued by publicly traded partnerships or master limited partnerships or limited liability companies (together referred to as “PTPs/MLPs”). These entities are limited partnerships or limited liability companies that may be publicly traded on stock exchanges or markets such as the NYSE, the NYSE Alternext US LLC (formerly the American Stock Exchange) and NASDAQ. PTPs/MLPs often own businesses or properties relating to energy, natural resources or real estate, or may be involved in the film industry or research and development activities. Generally PTPs/MLPs are operated under the supervision of one or more managing partners or members. Limited partners, unit holders, or members (such as a fund that invests in a partnership) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the company. Limited partners, unit holders, or members are allocated income and capital gains associated with the partnership project in accordance with the terms of the partnership or limited liability company agreement.
At times PTPs/MLPs may potentially offer relatively high yields compared to common stocks. Because PTPs/MLPs are generally treated as partnerships or similar limited liability “pass-through” entities for tax purposes, they do not ordinarily pay income taxes, but pass their earnings on to unit holders (except in the case of some publicly traded firms that may be taxed as corporations).
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 50

 

Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with partnership securities include: Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk and Market Risk.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock represents units of ownership of a corporation that frequently have dividends that are set at a specified rate. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock shares some of the characteristics of both debt and equity. Preferred stock ordinarily does not carry voting rights. Most preferred stock is cumulative; if dividends are passed ( i.e. , not paid for any reason), they accumulate and must be paid before common stock dividends. Participating preferred stock entitles its holders to share in profits above and beyond the declared dividend, along with common shareholders, as distinguished from nonparticipating preferred stock, which is limited to the stipulated dividend. Convertible preferred stock is exchangeable for a given number of shares of common stock and thus tends to be more volatile than nonconvertible preferred stock, which generally behaves more like a fixed income bond. Preferred stock may be privately placed or publicly offered. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. See Types of Investments – Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities for more information.
Auction preferred stock (APS) is a type of adjustable-rate preferred stock with a dividend determined periodically in a Dutch auction process by corporate bidders. An APS is distinguished from standard preferred stock because its dividends change from time to time. Shares typically are bought and sold at face values generally ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 per share. Holders of APS may not be able to sell their shares if an auction fails, such as when there are more shares of APS for sale at an auction than there are purchase bids.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with preferred stock include: Convertible Securities Risk, Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk and Market Risk.
Trust-Preferred Securities. Trust-preferred securities, also known as trust-issued securities, are securities that have characteristics of both debt and equity instruments and are typically treated by the Funds as debt investments.
Generally, trust-preferred securities are cumulative preferred stocks issued by a trust that is created by a financial institution, such as a bank holding company. The financial institution typically creates the trust with the objective of increasing its capital by issuing subordinated debt to the trust in return for cash proceeds that are reflected on the financial institutions balance sheet.
The primary asset owned by the trust is the subordinated debt issued to the trust by the financial institution. The financial institution makes periodic interest payments on the debt as discussed further below. The financial institution will subsequently own the trust’s common securities, which may typically represent a small percentage of the trust’s capital structure. The remainder of the trust’s capital structure typically consists of trust-preferred securities which are sold to investors. The trust uses the sales proceeds to purchase the subordinated debt issued by the financial institution. The financial institution uses the proceeds from the subordinated debt sale to increase its capital while the trust receives periodic interest payments from the financial institution for holding the subordinated debt.
The trust uses the interest received to make dividend payments to the holders of the trust-preferred securities. The dividends are generally paid on a quarterly basis and are often higher than other dividends potentially available on the financial institution’s common stocks. The interests of the holders of the trust-preferred securities are senior to those of common stockholders in the event that the financial institution is liquidated, although their interests are typically subordinated to those of other holders of other debt issued by the institution.
The primary benefit for the financial institution in using this particular structure is that the trust-preferred securities issued by the trust are treated by the financial institution as debt securities for tax purposes (as a consequence of which the expense of paying interest on the securities is tax deductible), but are treated as more desirable equity securities for purposes of the calculation of capital requirements.
In certain instances, the structure involves more than one financial institution and thus, more than one trust. In such a pooled offering, an additional separate trust may be created. This trust will issue securities to investors and use the proceeds to purchase the trust-preferred securities issued by other trust subsidiaries of the participating financial institutions. In such a structure, the trust-preferred securities held by the investors are backed by other trust-preferred securities issued by the trust subsidiaries.
If a financial institution is financially unsound and defaults on interest payments to the trust, the trust will not be able to make dividend payments to holders of the trust-preferred securities such as the Fund, as the trust typically has no business operations other than holding the subordinated debt issued by the financial institution(s) and issuing the trust-preferred securities and common stock backed by the subordinated debt.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with trust-preferred securities include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 51

 

Private Placement and Other Restricted Securities
Private placement securities are securities that have been privately placed and are not registered under the 1933 Act. They are generally eligible for sale only to certain eligible investors. Private placements often may offer attractive opportunities for investment not otherwise available on the open market. Private placement and other “restricted” securities often cannot be sold to the public without registration under the 1933 Act or the availability of an exemption from registration (such as Rules 144 or 144A), or they are “not readily marketable” because they are subject to other legal or contractual delays in or restrictions on resale. Asset-backed securities, common stock, convertible securities, corporate debt securities, foreign securities, high-yield securities, money market instruments, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, participation interests, preferred stock and other types of equity and debt instruments may be privately placed or restricted securities.
Private placements typically may be sold only to qualified institutional buyers or, in the case of the initial sale of certain securities, such as those issued in collateralized debt obligations or collateralized loan obligations, to accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a) under the 1933 Act), or in a privately negotiated transaction or to a limited number of qualified purchasers, or in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with private placement and other restricted securities include: Issuer Risk, Liquidity Risk, Market Risk and Confidential Information Access Risk.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are pooled investment vehicles that manage a portfolio of real estate or real estate related loans to earn profits for their shareholders. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property, such as shopping centers, nursing homes, office buildings, apartment complexes, and hotels, and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. REITs can be subject to extreme volatility due to fluctuations in the demand for real estate, changes in interest rates, and adverse economic conditions.
Partnership units of real estate and other types of companies sometimes are organized as master limited partnerships in which ownership interests are publicly traded.
Similar to regulated investment companies, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by a REIT in which it invests. REITs often do not provide complete tax information until after the calendar year-end. Consequently, because of the delay, it may be necessary for a Fund investing in REITs to request permission to extend the deadline for issuance of Forms 1099-DIV beyond January 31. In the alternative, amended Forms 1099-DIV may be sent.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with REITs include: Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Market Risk and Real Estate-Related Investment Risk.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements are agreements under which a Fund acquires a security for a relatively short period of time (usually within seven days) subject to the obligation of a seller to repurchase and a Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund’s cost plus interest). The repurchase agreement specifies the yield during the purchaser’s holding period. Repurchase agreements also may be viewed as loans made by a Fund that are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase, which may consist of a variety of security types. A Fund typically will enter into repurchase agreements only with commercial banks, registered broker-dealers and the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation. Such transactions are monitored to ensure that the value of the underlying securities will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including any accrued interest.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with repurchase agreements include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Issuer Risk, Market Risk and Repurchase Agreements Risk.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements under which a Fund temporarily transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed-upon time (normally within 7 days) and price which reflects an interest payment. A Fund generally retains the right to interest and principal payments on the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as borrowings made by a Fund.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 52

 

Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with reverse repurchase agreements include: Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Issuer Risk, Leverage Risk, Market Risk and Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk.
Short Sales
A Fund may sometimes sell securities short when it owns an equal amount of the securities sold short. This is a technique known as selling short “against the box.” If a Fund makes a short sale “against the box,” it would not immediately deliver the securities sold and would not receive the proceeds from the sale. The seller is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities sold, at which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. To secure its obligation to deliver securities sold short, a Fund will deposit in escrow in a separate account with the custodian an equal amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities. A Fund can close out its short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering securities already held by a Fund, because a Fund might want to continue to receive interest and dividend payments on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.
Short sales “against the box” entail many of the same risks and considerations described below regarding short sales not “against the box.” However, when a Fund sells short “against the box” it typically limits the amount of its effective leverage. A Fund’s decision to make a short sale “against the box” may be a technique to hedge against market risks when a Fund’s portfolio manager believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by a Fund or a security convertible into or exchangeable for such security. In such case, any future losses in a Fund’s long position would be reduced by a gain in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses in the long position are reduced will depend upon the amount of securities sold short relative to the amount of the securities a Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case where a Fund owns convertible securities, changes in the investment values or conversion premiums of such securities.
Subject to its fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies, a Fund may engage in short sales that are not “against the box,” which are sales by a Fund of securities, contracts or instruments that it does not own in hopes of purchasing the same security, contract or instrument at a later date at a lower price. The technique is also used to protect a profit in a long-term position in a security, commodity futures contract or other instrument. To make delivery to the buyer, a Fund must borrow or purchase the security. If borrowed, a Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed from the third party, so a Fund must purchase the security at the market price at a later time. If the price of the security has increased during this time, then a Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price of the security from the time of the short sale plus any premiums and interest paid to the third party. (Until the security is replaced, a Fund is required to pay to the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest which accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, a Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet the margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.) Short sales of forward commitments and derivatives do not involve borrowing a security. These types of short sales may include futures, options, contracts for differences, forward contracts on financial instruments and options such as contracts, credit-linked instruments, and swap contracts.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with short sales include: Leverage Risk, Market Risk and Short Positions Risk.
Sovereign Debt
Sovereign debt obligations are issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or their agencies. It may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. (See also Types of Investments – Foreign Securities .) In addition, there may be no legal recourse against a sovereign debtor in the event of a default.
Sovereign debt includes Brady Bonds, which are securities issued under the framework of the Brady Plan, an initiative announced by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady in 1989 as a mechanism for debtor nations to restructure their outstanding external commercial bank indebtedness.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with sovereign debt include: Credit Risk, Emerging Markets Securities Risk, Foreign Securities Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Standby Commitments
See Types of Investments – Municipal Securities above.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 53

 

U.S. Government and Related Obligations
U.S. Government obligations include U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued or guaranteed by various agencies of the U.S. Government or by various agencies or instrumentalities established or sponsored by the U.S. Government. U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued or guaranteed by various agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government differ in their interest rates, maturities and time of issuance, as well as with respect to whether they are guaranteed by the U.S. Government. U.S. Government and related obligations may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations. See Types of Investments – Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations for more information.
Investing in U.S. Government and related obligations is subject to certain risks. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality and, as a result, may be subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises historically have involved limited risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to any of these entities if it is not obligated to do so by law.
Government-sponsored entities issuing securities include privately owned, publicly chartered entities created to reduce borrowing costs for certain sectors of the economy, such as farmers, homeowners, and students. They include the Federal Farm Credit Bank System, Farm Credit Financial Assistance Corporation, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA), and Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC). Government-sponsored entities may issue discount notes (with maturities ranging from overnight to 360 days) and bonds. On September 7, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an agency of the U.S. Government, placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. FHFA will act as the conservator to operate the enterprises until they are stabilized.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with U.S. Government and related obligations include: Credit Risk, Inflation Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Prepayment and Extension Risk, Reinvestment Risk and U.S. Government Obligations Risk.
Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations
Variable- and floating-rate obligations are debt instruments that provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate and, under certain circumstances, varying principal amounts. Unlike a fixed interest rate, a variable, or floating, rate is one that rises and declines based on the movement of an underlying index of interest rates and may pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a specified formula. Variable- or floating-rate securities frequently include a demand feature enabling the holder to sell the securities to the issuer at par. In many cases, the demand feature can be exercised at any time. Some securities that do not have variable or floating interest rates may be accompanied by puts producing similar results and price characteristics. Variable-rate demand notes include master demand notes that are obligations that permit the investor to invest fluctuating amounts, which may change daily without penalty, pursuant to direct arrangements between the investor (as lender), and the borrower. The interest rates on these notes fluctuate. The issuer of such obligations normally has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days’ notice to the holders of such obligations. Because these obligations are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower, it is not contemplated that such instruments generally will be traded. There generally is not an established secondary market for these obligations. Accordingly, where these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements, the lender’s right to redeem is dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. Such obligations frequently are not rated by credit rating agencies and may involve heightened risk of default by the issuer. Asset-backed securities, bank obligations, convertible securities, corporate debt securities, foreign securities, high-yield securities, money market instruments, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, participation interests, stripped securities, U.S. Government and related obligations and other types of debt instruments may be structured as variable- and floating-rate obligations.
Most floating rate loans are acquired directly from the agent bank or from another holder of the loan by assignment. Most such loans are secured, and most impose restrictive covenants on the borrower. These loans are typically made by a syndicate of banks and institutional investors, represented by an agent bank which has negotiated and structured the loan and which is responsible generally for collecting interest, principal, and other amounts from the borrower on its own behalf and on behalf of the other lending institutions in the syndicate, and for enforcing its rights and the rights of the syndicate against the borrower. Each of the lending institutions, including the agent bank, lends to the borrower a portion of the total amount of the loan, and retains the corresponding interest in the loan. Floating rate loans may include delayed draw term loans and prefunded or synthetic letters of credit.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 54

 

A Fund’s ability to receive payments of principal and interest and other amounts in connection with loans held by it will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. The failure by the Fund to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on a loan would adversely affect the income of the Fund and would likely reduce the value of its assets, which would be reflected in a reduction in the Fund’s NAV. Banks and other lending institutions generally perform a credit analysis of the borrower before originating a loan or purchasing an assignment in a loan. In selecting the loans in which the Fund will invest, however, the Investment Manager will not rely on that credit analysis of the agent bank, but will perform its own investment analysis of the borrowers. The Investment Manager’s analysis may include consideration of the borrower’s financial strength and managerial experience, debt coverage, additional borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, changing financial conditions, and responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. Investments in loans may be of any quality, including “distressed” loans, and will be subject to the Fund’s credit quality policy.
Loans may be structured in different forms, including assignments and participations. In an assignment, a Fund purchases an assignment of a portion of a lender’s interest in a loan. In this case, the Fund may be required generally to rely upon the assigning bank to demand payment and enforce its rights against the borrower, but would otherwise be entitled to all of such bank’s rights in the loan.
The borrower of a loan may, either at its own election or pursuant to terms of the loan documentation, prepay amounts of the loan from time to time. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to reinvest the proceeds of any loan prepayment at the same interest rate or on the same terms as those of the original loan.
Corporate loans in which a Fund may purchase a loan assignment are made generally to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs, dividend payments to sponsors and other corporate activities. The highly leveraged capital structure of certain borrowers may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. The Fund may hold investments in loans for a very short period of time when opportunities to resell the investments that a Fund’s Portfolio Manager believes are attractive arise.
Certain of the loans acquired by a Fund may involve revolving credit facilities under which a borrower may from time to time borrow and repay amounts up to the maximum amount of the facility. In such cases, the Fund would have an obligation to advance its portion of such additional borrowings upon the terms specified in the loan assignment. To the extent that the Fund is committed to make additional loans under such an assignment, it will at all times designate cash or securities in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.
Notwithstanding its intention in certain situations to not receive material, non-public information with respect to its management of investments in floating rate loans, the Investment Manager may from time to time come into possession of material, non-public information about the issuers of loans that may be held in a Fund’s portfolio. Possession of such information may in some instances occur despite the Investment Manager’s efforts to avoid such possession, but in other instances the Investment Manager may choose to receive such information (for example, in connection with participation in a creditors’ committee with respect to a financially distressed issuer). As, and to the extent, required by applicable law, the Investment Manager’s ability to trade in these loans for the account of the Fund could potentially be limited by its possession of such information. Such limitations on the Investment Manager’s ability to trade could have an adverse effect on the Fund by, for example, preventing the Fund from selling a loan that is experiencing a material decline in value. In some instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.
In some instances, other accounts managed by the Investment Manager may hold other securities issued by borrowers whose floating rate loans may be held in a Fund’s portfolio. These other securities may include, for example, debt securities that are subordinate to the floating rate loans held in the Fund’s portfolio, convertible debt or common or preferred equity securities.
In certain circumstances, such as if the credit quality of the issuer deteriorates, the interests of holders of these other securities may conflict with the interests of the holders of the issuer’s floating rate loans. In such cases, the Investment Manager may owe conflicting fiduciary duties to the Fund and other client accounts. The Investment Manager will endeavor to carry out its obligations to all of its clients to the fullest extent possible, recognizing that in some cases certain clients may achieve a lower economic return, as a result of these conflicting client interests, than if the Investment Manager’s client accounts collectively held only a single category of the issuer’s securities.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with variable- or floating-rate obligations include: Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity Risk and Prepayment and Extension Risk.
Warrants and Rights
Warrants and rights are types of securities that give a holder a right to purchase shares of common stock. Warrants usually are issued together with a bond or preferred stock and entitle a holder to purchase a specified amount of common stock at a specified price typically for a period of years. Rights usually have a specified purchase price that is lower than the current market price and entitle a holder to purchase a specified amount of common stock typically for a period of only weeks. Warrants
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 55

 

may be used to enhance the marketability of a bond or preferred stock. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants may be considered to have more speculative characteristics than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date, if any.
The potential exercise price of warrants or rights may exceed their market price, such as when there is no movement in the market price or the market price of the common stock declines.
Although one or more of the other risks described in this SAI may also apply, the risks typically associated with warrants and rights include: Convertible Securities Risk, Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Issuer Risk and Market Risk.
Information Regarding Risks
The following is a summary of risks of investing in the Funds and the risk characteristics associated with the various investment instruments available to the Funds for investment. A Fund’s risk profile is largely defined by the Fund’s primary portfolio holdings and principal investment strategies (for the description of a Fund’s principal investment strategies and principal risks, please see that Fund’s prospectus). However, the Funds are allowed to use securities, instruments, other assets and investments, strategies and techniques other than those described in the Fund’s principal investment strategies, subjecting the Fund to the risks associated with these securities, instruments, other assets and investments, strategies and techniques.
An investment in the Funds is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. One or more of the following risks may be associated with an investment in a Fund at any time:
Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect, in part, the ability of the portfolio managers to make investment decisions that seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Activist Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities of a company that is the subject of a proxy contest or which activist investors are attempting to influence, in the expectation that new management or a change in business strategies will cause the price of the company’s securities to increase. If the proxy contest, or the new management, is not successful, the market price of the company’s securities will typically fall.
In addition, where an acquisition or restructuring transaction or proxy fight is opposed by the subject company’s management, the transaction often becomes the subject of litigation. Such litigation involves substantial uncertainties and may impose substantial cost and expense on the Fund.
Allocation Risk. For any Fund that uses an asset allocation strategy in pursuit of its investment objective, there is a risk that the Fund's allocation among asset classes, investments, managers, strategies and/or investment styles will cause the Fund's shares to lose value or cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies, or that the investments themselves will not produce the returns expected.
Alternative Strategies Investment Risk. An investment in alternative investment strategies (Alternative Strategies), whether through direct investment or through one or more underlying funds that use Alternative Strategies, involves risks, which may be significant. Alternative Strategies may include strategies, instruments or other assets, such as derivatives, that seek investment returns uncorrelated with the broad equity and fixed income/debt markets, as well as those providing exposure to other markets (such as commodity markets), including but not limited to absolute (positive) return strategies. Alternative Strategies may fail to achieve their desired performance, market or other exposure, or their returns (or lack thereof) may be more correlated with the broad equity and/or fixed income/debt markets than was anticipated, and the Fund may lose money. Some Alternative Strategies may be considered speculative.
Arbitrage Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities at prices only slightly below the anticipated value to be paid or exchanged for such securities in a merger, exchange offer or cash tender offer, and substantially above the prices at which such securities traded immediately prior to announcement of the transaction. If there is a perception that the proposed transaction will not be consummated or will be delayed, the market price of the security may decline sharply, which would result in a loss to the Fund. In addition, if the manager determines that the offer is likely to be increased, either by the original bidder or by another party, the Fund may purchase securities above the offer price; such purchases are subject to a high degree of risk.
The consummation of mergers and tender and exchange offers can be prevented or delayed by a variety of factors, including opposition by the management or shareholders of the target company, private litigation or litigation involving regulatory agencies, and approval or non-action of regulatory agencies. The likelihood of occurrence of these and other factors, and their impact on an investment, can be very difficult to evaluate.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 56

 

Bankruptcy Process and Trade Claims Risk. The Fund may purchase bankruptcy claims. There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. The effect of a bankruptcy filing on a company may adversely and permanently affect the company and cause it to be incapable of restoring itself as a viable business. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversarial proceedings. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being finalized. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and are paid out of the debtor’s estate before any return to creditors. The Fund may also purchase trade claims against companies, including companies in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings, which include claims of suppliers for unpaid goods delivered, claims for unpaid services rendered, claims for contract rejection damages and claims related to litigation. An investment in trade claims is very speculative, illiquid, and carries a high degree of risk. The markets in trade claims are generally not regulated by U.S. federal securities laws or the SEC.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Closed-End Investment Company Risk. Closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their NAV, which may affect whether the Fund will realize gain or loss upon its sale of the closed-end investment company’s shares. Closed-end investment companies may employ leverage, which also subjects the closed-end investment company to increased risks such as increased volatility.
Commodity-related Investment Risk. The value of commodities investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include demand for the commodity, weather, embargoes, tariffs, and economic health, political, international, regulatory and other developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may, in turn, reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. Exposure to commodities and commodities markets may subject the value of the Fund's investments to greater volatility than other types of investments. No, or limited, active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodities investments thereby subjecting the Fund to increased liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). Certain types of commodities instruments are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument. The Fund may make commodity-related investments through, and may invest in one or more underlying funds that make commodity-related investments through, one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries organized outside the U.S. that are generally not subject to U.S. laws (including securities laws) and their protections. However, any such subsidiary is wholly owned and controlled by the Fund and any underlying fund subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the underlying fund, making it unlikely that the subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund or the underlying fund and their shareholders. Further, any such subsidiaries will be subject to the laws of a foreign jurisdiction, and can be adversely affected by developments in that jurisdiction.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the Fund concentrates its investment in particular issuers, countries, geographic regions, industries or sectors, the Fund may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of issuers, countries, geographic regions, industries, sectors or investments.
Confidential Information Access Risk. In many instances, issuers of floating rate loans offer to furnish material, non-public information (Confidential Information) to prospective purchasers or holders of the issuer’s floating rate loans to help potential investors assess the value of the loan. Portfolio managers may avoid the receipt of Confidential Information about the issuers of floating rate loans being considered for acquisition by the Fund, or held in the Fund. A decision not to receive Confidential Information from these issuers may disadvantage the Fund as compared to other floating rate loan investors, and may adversely affect the price the Fund pays for the loans it purchases, or the price at which the Fund sells the loans. Further, in situations when holders of floating rate loans are asked, for example, to grant consents, waivers or amendments, the ability to assess the desirability thereof may be compromised. For these and other reasons, it is possible that the decision not to receive Confidential Information could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are subject to the usual risks associated with debt instruments, such as interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Convertible securities also react to changes in the value of the common stock into which they convert, and are thus subject to market risk (the risk that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise). Because the value of a convertible security can be influenced by both interest rates and the common stock's market movements, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 57

 

to interest rates as a similar debt instrument, and generally will not vary in value in response to other factors to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would typically be paid before the company's common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. The Fund may be forced to convert a convertible security before it otherwise would choose to do so, which may decrease the Fund's return.
Counterparty Risk. The risk exists that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund or by a special purpose or structured vehicle in which the Fund invests may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund, due to financial difficulties. The Fund may obtain no or limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. Transactions that the Fund enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector and, as a result, events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.
In the event of a counterparty’s (or its affiliate’s) insolvency, the Fund’s ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated under new special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the European Union and various other jurisdictions. Such regimes generally provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty. In particular, the regulatory authorities could reduce, eliminate or convert to equity the liabilities to the Fund of a counterparty subject to such proceedings in the European Union (sometimes referred to as a “bail in”).
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the value of loans or other debt instruments may decline if the borrower or the issuer thereof defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Various factors could affect the actual or perceived willingness or ability of the borrower or the issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the financial condition of the borrower or the issuer or in general economic conditions. Debt instruments backed by an issuer's taxing authority may be subject to legal limits on the issuer's power to increase taxes or otherwise to raise revenue, or may be dependent on legislative appropriation or government aid. Certain debt instruments are backed only by revenues derived from a particular project or source, rather than by an issuer's taxing authority, and thus may have a greater risk of default. Rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain loans and debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Unless otherwise provided in the Fund’s Principal Investment Strategies, investment grade debt instruments are those rated at or above BBB- by S&P, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Conversely, below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk”) debt instruments are those rated below BBB- by S&P, or equivalently rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. A rating downgrade by such agencies can negatively impact the value of such instruments. Lower quality or unrated loans or instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated loans or instruments. Non-investment grade loans or debt instruments may be subject to greater price fluctuations and are more likely to experience a default than investment grade loans or debt instruments and therefore may expose the Fund to increased credit risk. If the Fund purchases unrated loans or instruments, or if the ratings of loans or instruments held by the Fund are lowered after purchase, the Fund will depend on analysis of credit risk more heavily than usual. If the issuer of a loan declares bankruptcy or is declared bankrupt, there may be a delay before the Fund can act on the collateral securing the loan, which may adversely affect the Fund. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower.
Cybersecurity Breaches and Technology and Related Systems Failure Risk . The Funds and their service providers, including but not limited to the Investment Manager (in its role as investment adviser and/or administrator to the Funds), Ameriprise Financial (the Investment Manager’s parent company), any investment subadvisers, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, and other service providers, as well as their underlying service providers (collectively, the Service Providers), are heavily dependent on proprietary and third-party technology and infrastructure and related operational and information systems, networks, computers, devices, programs, applications, data and functions (collectively, Systems) to perform necessary business activities. The Systems that the Funds and the Service Providers (referred to herein as we, us and our) rely upon may be vulnerable to many threats, breaches and failures, some of which may be outside of our control, including significant damage and disruption arising from Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches. Systems failures include malfunctions, user error, conduct (or misconduct) of or arising from employees and agents, and failures arising from cybersecurity breaches, natural disasters, or other actions or events (whether foreseeable or unforeseeable). Cybersecurity breaches include intentional (e.g.,
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 58

 

cyber-attacks, hacking, phishing scams, unauthorized payment requests) and unintentional events or activity (e.g., user errors arising from or caused by us or our agents). Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may result in (i) proprietary or confidential information or data being lost, withheld for ransom, misused, destroyed, stolen, released, corrupted or rendered unavailable, including personal investor information (and that of beneficial owners of investors), (ii) unauthorized access to Systems and loss of operational capacity, including from, for example, denial-of-service attacks (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users), and (iii) the misappropriation of Fund or investor assets or sensitive information. Also, the Investment Manager and, as the case may be, any Fund subadvisers, use various technology in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective and strategy described in the Fund’s prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems may be utilized to support decision making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance. Any such events could negatively impact our Systems and may have significant adverse impacts on the Funds and their shareholders.
Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may cause delays or mistakes in materials provided to shareholders and may also interfere with or negatively impact the processing of Fund investor transactions, pricing of Fund investments, calculating Fund NAVs, and trading within a Fund’s portfolio, while causing or subjecting us to reputational damage, violations of law, legal claims, regulatory fines, penalties, financial losses and reimbursement, expenses or other compensation and remediation costs, as well as additional compliance, legal, and operational costs. Such events could negatively impact the Fund, its shareholders and affect our business, financial condition and performance or results of operations.
The trend toward broad consumer and general public notification of Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches could exacerbate the harm to the Fund, its shareholders and our business, financial condition and performance or results of operations. Even if we successfully protect our Systems from failures or cybersecurity breaches, we may incur significant expenses in connection with our responses to any such events, as well as the need for adoption, implementation and maintenance of appropriate security measures. We could also suffer harm to our business and reputation if attempted or actual cybersecurity breaches are publicized. We cannot be certain that evolving threats from cyber-criminals and other cyber-threat actors, exploitation of new vulnerabilities in our Systems, or other developments, or data thefts, System break-ins or inappropriate access will not compromise or breach the technology or other security measures protecting our Systems.
To date, we have not experienced any material Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches, however, we routinely encounter and address such threats. For example, in 2015 the then-available Columbia ETFs were for a period unable to price their portfolios due to a technology issue impacting the ETFs’ third-party administrator. In another case, in 2014, Ameriprise Financial and other financial institutions experienced distributed denial-of-service attacks intended to disrupt clients’ online access. While Ameriprise Financial was able to detect and respond to this incident without loss of client assets or information, Ameriprise Financial has since enhanced its security capabilities and will continue to assess its ability to monitor and respond to such threats. In addition to the foregoing, the experiences of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates with Systems failures, cybersecurity breaches and technology threats have included, as examples, phishing scams, introductions of malware, attempts at electronic break-ins, and unauthorized payment requests. Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may be difficult to detect, may go undetected for long periods or may never be detected. The impact of such events may be compounded over time. Although the Funds and the Service Providers evaluate the materiality of Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches that it detects, the Funds and the Service Providers may conclude that some such events are not material and may choose not to address them. Such conclusions may not prove to be correct.
Although we have established business continuity/disaster recovery plans and systems (Continuity and Recovery Plans) designed to prevent or mitigate the effects of Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches, there are inherent limitations in Continuity and Recovery Plans. These limitations include the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that Continuity and Recovery Plans might not – despite testing and monitoring – operate as designed, be sufficient to stop or mitigate losses or otherwise be unable to achieve their objectives. The Funds and their shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. In addition, the Fund cannot control the Continuity and Recovery Plans of the Service Providers. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Funds will not suffer losses relating to Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches affecting us in the future, particularly third-party service providers, as the Funds cannot control any Continuity and Recovery Plans or cybersecurity defenses implemented by such parties.
Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches may necessitate significant investment to repair or replace impacted Systems. In addition, we, including the Funds, may incur substantial costs for Systems failure risk management and cybersecurity risk management in order to attempt to prevent any such events or incidents in the future.
Insurance and other traditional risk-shifting tools may be held by or available to us in order to manage or mitigate the risks associated with Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches, but they are subject to terms and limitations such as deductibles, coinsurance, limits and policy exclusions, as well as risk of counterparty denial of coverage, default or insolvency. While Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates maintain cyber liability insurance that provides both third-party liability and first-party
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 59

 

liability coverages, this insurance does not cover the Funds and, with regard to covered entities, may not be sufficient to protect us against all losses. In addition, contractual remedies may not be available with respect to Service Providers or may prove inadequate if available (e.g., because of limits on the liability of the Service Providers) to protect the Funds against all losses.
Stock and other market exchanges, financial intermediaries and issuers of, and counterparties to, the Funds’ investments and, in the case of ETFs, market makers and authorized participants, also may be adversely impacted by Systems failures and cybersecurity breaches in their own businesses, subjecting them to the risks described herein, as well as other additional or enhanced risks particular to their businesses, which could result in losses to the Funds and their shareholders. Issuers of securities or other instruments in which the Funds invest may also experience Systems failures or cybersecurity breaches, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, which may cause the Funds’ investment in such issuers to lose money.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events, including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism, occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund. A potential conflict of interest exists to the extent that the Fund invests in ADRs for which the Fund's custodian serves as depository bank.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may involve significant risks. Derivatives are financial instruments, traded on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, with a value in relation to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset(s) (such as a security, commodity or currency) or other reference, such as an index, rate or other economic indicator (each an underlying reference). Derivatives may include those that are privately placed or otherwise exempt from SEC registration, including certain Rule 144A eligible securities. Derivatives could result in Fund losses if the underlying reference does not perform as anticipated. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, risks, and tax planning different from those associated with more traditional investment instruments. The Fund’s derivatives strategy may not be successful and use of certain derivatives could result in substantial, potentially unlimited, losses to the Fund regardless of the Fund’s actual investment. A relatively small movement in the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with the underlying reference may result in substantial loss for the Fund. Derivatives may be more volatile than other types of investments. Derivatives can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, including the risk of an adverse credit event associated with the underlying reference (credit risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value, price or rate of the underlying reference (market risk), the risk of an adverse movement in the value of underlying currencies (foreign currency risk) and the risk of an adverse movement in underlying interest rates (interest rate risk). Derivatives may expose the Fund to additional risks, including the risk of loss due to a derivative position that is imperfectly correlated with the underlying reference it is intended to hedge or replicate (correlation risk), the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform as agreed (counterparty risk), the risk that a hedging strategy may fail to mitigate losses, and may offset gains (hedging risk), the risk that the return on an investment may not keep pace with inflation (inflation risk), the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested (leverage risk), the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment at an advantageous time or price (liquidity risk), the risk that the investment may be difficult to value (pricing risk), and the risk that the price or value of the investment fluctuates significantly over short periods of time (volatility risk). The value of derivatives may be influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. Potential changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the market for derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.
Derivatives Risk – Forward Contracts Risk. A forward contract is an over-the-counter derivative transaction between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying reference at a specified price (or rate) on a specified date in the future. Forward contracts are negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized or traded on exchanges. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated (there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable). The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying references in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 60

 

into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A forward foreign currency contract is a derivative (forward contract) in which the underlying reference is a country's or region’s currency. The Fund may agree to buy or sell a country's or region’s currency at a specific price on a specific date in the future. These instruments may fall in value (sometimes dramatically) due to foreign market downswings or foreign currency value fluctuations, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). The effectiveness of any currency hedging strategy by a Fund may be reduced by the Fund’s inability to precisely match forward contract amounts and the value of securities involved. Forward foreign currency contracts used for hedging may also limit any potential gain that might result from an increase or decrease in the value of the currency. The Fund may use these instruments to gain leveraged exposure to currencies, which is a speculative investment practice that increases the Fund's risk exposure and the possibility of losses. Unanticipated changes in the currency markets could result in reduced performance for the Fund. When the Fund converts its foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, it may incur currency conversion costs due to the spread between the prices at which it may buy and sell various currencies in the market.
A forward interest rate agreement is a derivative whereby the buyer locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the buyer pays the seller the difference between the two rates (based on the notional value of the agreement). If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the buyer the difference between the two rates (based on the notional value of the agreement). The Fund may act as a buyer or a seller.
Derivatives Risk – Futures Contracts Risk. A futures contract is an exchange-traded derivative transaction between two parties in which a buyer (holding the “long” position) agrees to pay a fixed price (or rate) at a specified future date for delivery of an underlying reference from a seller (holding the “short” position). The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. Certain futures contract markets are highly volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. Futures exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices by imposing a maximum permissible daily price movement. The Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. At or prior to maturity of a futures contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in futures contract prices. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts. Futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by the Fund. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, it is possible that the Fund may employ a high degree of leverage in the portfolio. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. For certain types of futures contracts, losses are potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures contracts executed (if any) on foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A bond (or debt instrument) future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a bond or other debt instrument, a basket of bonds or other debt instrument, or the bonds or other debt instruments in an index on a specified date at a predetermined price. The buyer (long position) of a bond future is obliged to buy the underlying reference at the agreed price on expiry of the future.
A commodity-linked future is a derivative that is an agreement to buy or sell one or more commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), basket of commodities or indices of commodity futures at a specific date in the future at a specific price.
A currency future , also an FX future or foreign exchange future, is a derivative that is an agreement to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a price (exchange rate) that is fixed on the purchase date.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 61

 

An equity future is a derivative that is an agreement for the contract holder to buy or sell a specified amount of an individual equity, a basket of equities or the securities in an equity index on a specified date at a predetermined price.
An interest rate future is a derivative that is an agreement whereby the buyer and seller agree to the future delivery of an interest-bearing instrument on a specific date at a pre-determined price. Examples include Treasury-bill futures, Treasury-bond futures and Eurodollar futures.
Derivatives Risk – Inverse Floaters Risk. Inverse variable or floating rate obligations, sometimes referred to as inverse floaters, are a type of over-the-counter derivative debt instrument with a variable or floating coupon rate that moves in the opposite direction of an underlying reference, typically short-term interest rates. As short-term interest rates go down, the holders of the inverse floaters receive more income and, as short-term interest rates go up, the holders of the inverse floaters receive less income. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the coupon rate, while floating rate securities have a coupon rate that changes whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark index or the issuer’s credit rating. While inverse floaters tend to provide more income than similar term and credit quality fixed-rate bonds, they also exhibit greater volatility in price movement, which could result in significant losses for the Fund. An inverse floater may have the effect of investment leverage to the extent that its coupon rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index or reference rate of interest, which could result in increased losses for the Fund. There is a risk that the current interest rate on variable and floating rate instruments may not accurately reflect current market interest rates or adequately compensate the holder for the current creditworthiness of the issuer. Some inverse floaters are structured with liquidity features and may include market-dependent liquidity features that may expose the Fund to greater liquidity risk. Inverse floaters can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Options Risk. Options are derivatives that give the purchaser the option to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying reference from or to a counterparty at a specified price (the strike price) on or before an expiration date. The Fund may purchase or write (i.e., sell) put and call options on an underlying reference it is otherwise permitted to invest in. By investing in options, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may be required to buy or sell the underlying reference at a disadvantageous price on or before the expiration date. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund may be required to buy the underlying reference at a strike price that is above market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund may be required to sell the underlying reference at a strike price that is below market price, resulting in a loss. If the Fund sells a call option that is not covered (it does not own the underlying reference), the Fund's losses are potentially unlimited. Options may involve economic leverage, which could result in greater volatility in price movement. Options may be traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. At or prior to maturity of an options contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in options prices. Options can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
Derivatives Risk – Structured Investments Risk. Structured investments are over-the-counter derivatives that provide principal and/or interest payments based on the value of an underlying reference(s). Structured investments typically provide interest income, thereby offering a potential yield advantage over investing directly in an underlying reference. Structured investments may lack a liquid secondary market and their prices or value can be volatile which could result in significant losses for the Fund. In some cases, depending on its terms, a structured investment may provide that principal and/or interest payments may be adjusted below zero resulting in a potential loss of principal and/or interest payments. Additionally, the particular terms of a structured investment may create economic leverage by requiring payment by the issuer of an amount that is a multiple of the price change of the underlying reference. Economic leverage will increase the volatility of structured investment prices, and could result in increased losses for the Fund. The Fund’s use of structured instruments may not work as intended. If structured investments are used to reduce the duration of the Fund’s portfolio, this may limit the Fund’s return when having a longer duration would be beneficial (for instance, when interest rates decline). Structured investments can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A commodity-linked structured note is a derivative (structured investment) that has principal and/or interest payments based on the market price of one or more particular commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), a basket of commodities, indices of commodity futures or other economic variable. If payment of interest on a commodity-linked structured note is linked to the value of a particular commodity, basket of commodities, commodity index or other economic variable, the Fund might receive lower interest payments (or not receive any of the interest due) on its investments if there is a loss of value in the underlying reference. Further, to the extent that the amount of principal to be repaid upon maturity is
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 62

 

  linked to the value of a particular commodity, basket of commodities, commodity index or other economic variable, the Fund might not receive a portion (or any) of the principal at maturity of the investment or upon earlier exchange. At any time, the risk of loss associated with a particular structured note in the Fund’s portfolio may be significantly higher than the value of the note. A liquid secondary market may not exist for the commodity-linked structured notes held in the Fund’s portfolio, which may make it difficult for the notes to be sold at a price acceptable to the portfolio manager(s) or for the Fund to accurately value them.
Structured investments include collateralized debt obligations which are debt instruments that are collateralized by the underlying cash flows of a pool of financial assets or receivables.
An equity-linked note (ELN) is a derivative (structured investment) that has principal and/or interest payments based on the value of a single equity security, a basket of equity securities or an index of equity securities, and generally has risks similar to these underlying equity securities. ELNs may be leveraged or unleveraged. An ELN typically provides interest income, thereby offering a yield advantage over investing directly in an underlying equity. The Fund may purchase ELNs that trade on a securities exchange or those that trade on the over-the-counter markets, as well as in privately negotiated transactions with the issuer of the ELN. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. The liquidity of unlisted ELNs is normally determined by the willingness of the issuer to make a market in the ELN. While the Fund will seek to purchase ELNs only from issuers that it believes to be willing and able to repurchase the ELN at a reasonable price, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell at such a price. Furthermore, such inability to sell may impair the Fund’s ability to enter into other transactions at a time when doing so might be advantageous. The Fund’s investments in ELNs have the potential to lead to significant losses, including the amount the Fund invested in the ELN, because ELNs are subject to the market and volatility risks associated with their underlying equity. In addition, because ELNs often take the form of unsecured notes of the issuer, the Fund would be subject to the risk that the issuer may default on its obligations under the ELN, thereby subjecting the Fund to the further risk of being too concentrated in the securities (including ELNs) of that issuer. However, the Fund typically considers ELNs alongside other securities of the issuer in its assessment of issuer concentration risk. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities. ELNs may also be subject to leverage risk. The Fund may or may not hold an ELN until its maturity. ELNs also include participation notes.
Derivatives Risk – Swaps Risk. In a typical swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return earned on a specified underlying reference for a fixed return or the return from another underlying reference during a specified period of time. Swaps may be difficult to value and may be illiquid. Swaps could result in Fund losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Swaps create significant investment leverage such that a relatively small price movement in a swap may result in immediate and substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may only close out a swap with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Certain swaps, such as short swap transactions and total return swaps, have the potential for unlimited losses, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Swaps can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying references and their attendant risks, such as credit risk, market risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, while also exposing the Fund to correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, inflation risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, pricing risk and volatility risk.
A commodity-linked swap is a derivative (swap) that is an agreement where the underlying reference is the market price of one or more particular commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline and natural gas), basket of commodities or indices of commodity futures.
A credit default swap (including a swap on a credit default index, sometimes referred to as a credit default swap index) is a derivative and special type of swap where one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a particular credit event by one or more third parties, such as bankruptcy, default or a similar event. A credit default swap may be embedded within a structured note or other derivative instrument. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy or sell protection against such a credit event (such as an issuer’s bankruptcy, restructuring or failure to make timely payments of interest or principal). Credit default swap indices are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps and are subject to the same risks as credit default swaps. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the Fund may have may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could delay or limit the Fund's recovery. Thus, if the counterparty under a credit default swap defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays. The Fund’s return from investment in a credit default swap index may not match the return of the referenced index. Further, investment in a credit default swap index could result in losses if the referenced index does not perform as expected. Unexpected changes in the composition of the index may also affect performance of the credit default swap index. If a referenced index has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s credit default swap
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 63

 

  index may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another credit default swap index or otherwise achieve desired exposure, even if the referenced index reverses all or a portion of its intraday move.
An inflation rate swap is a derivative typically used to transfer inflation risk from one party to another through an exchange of cash flows. In an inflation rate swap, one party pays a fixed rate on a notional principal amount, while the other party pays a floating rate linked to an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
An interest rate swap is a derivative in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows, based on a specified notional amount from a fixed rate to a floating rate (or vice versa) or from one floating rate to another. Interest rate swaps can be based on various measures of interest rates, including LIBOR, swap rates, treasury rates and foreign interest rates.
Total return swaps are derivative swap transactions in which one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return of a defined underlying reference during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return of a different underlying reference.
Contracts for differences are swap arrangements in which the parties agree that their return (or loss) will be based on the relative performance of two different groups or baskets of securities or other instruments. Often, one or both baskets will be an established securities index. The Fund’s return will be based on changes in value of theoretical long futures positions in the securities comprising one basket (with an aggregate face value equal to the notional amount of the contract for differences) and theoretical short futures positions in the securities comprising the other basket. The Fund also may use actual long and short futures positions and achieve similar market exposure by netting the payment obligations of the two contracts. If the short basket outperforms the long basket, the Fund will realize a loss – even in circumstances when the securities in both the long and short baskets appreciate in value.
Derivatives Risk – Swaptions Risk. A swaption is an options contract on a swap agreement. These transactions give a party the right (but not the obligation) to enter into new swap agreements or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time on specified terms, in return for payment of the purchase price (the “premium”) of the option. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions to the same extent it may make use of standard options on securities or other instruments. The writer of the contract receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the market value on the underlying swap agreement. Swaptions can be bundled and sold as a package. These are commonly called interest rate caps, floors and collars.
Distressed Securities Risk. The Fund may purchase distressed securities of business enterprises involved in workouts, liquidations, reorganizations, bankruptcies and similar situations. Since there is typically substantial uncertainty concerning the outcome of transactions involving business enterprises in these situations, there is a high degree of risk of loss, including loss of the entire investment.
In bankruptcy, there can be considerable delay in reaching accord on a restructuring plan acceptable to a bankrupt company’s lenders, bondholders and other creditors and then obtaining the approval of the bankruptcy court. Such delays could result in substantial losses to the investments in such company’s securities or obligations. Moreover, there is no assurance that a plan favorable to the class of securities held by the Fund will be adopted or that the subject company might not eventually be liquidated rather than reorganized.
In liquidations (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate reorganization, there exists the risk that the reorganization either will be unsuccessful, will be delayed or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security, the value of which will be less than the purchase price of the security in respect of which such distribution is received. It may be difficult to obtain accurate information concerning a company in financial distress, with the result that the analysis and valuation are especially difficult. The market for securities of such companies tends to be illiquid and sales may be possible only at substantial discounts.
Dollar Rolls Risk. Dollar rolls are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and may result in higher transactions costs for the Fund. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk).
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity ( i.e. , lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 64

 

Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Securities in Emerging Markets. In addition to having less developed securities markets, banks in emerging markets that are eligible foreign sub-custodians may be recently organized, lack extensive operating experience or lack effective government oversight or regulation. In addition, there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign sub-custodian in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian. Because settlement systems may be less organized than in developed markets and because delivery versus payment settlement may not be possible or reliable, there may be a greater risk that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities of the Fund may be lost because of failures of or defects in the system, including fraud or corruption. Settlement systems in emerging markets also have a higher risk of failed trades.
Risks Related to Currencies and Corporate Actions in Emerging Markets. Risks related to currencies and corporate actions are also greater in emerging market countries than in developed countries. For example, some emerging market countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Further, certain currencies may not have an active trading market internationally, or countries may have varying exchange rates. Some emerging market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience sustained periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates which can have negative effects on a country’s economy and securities markets. Corporate action procedures in emerging market countries may be less reliable and have limited or no involvement by the depositories and central banks. Lack of standard practices and payment systems can lead to significant delays in payment.
Risks Related to Corporate and Securities Laws in Emerging Markets. Securities laws in emerging markets may be relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights. Accordingly, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In addition, the systems of corporate governance to which issuers in certain emerging markets are subject may be less advanced than the systems to which issuers located in more developed countries are subject, and therefore, shareholders of such issuers may not receive many of the protections available to shareholders of issuers located in more developed countries. These risks may be heightened in China and Russia.
China Stock Connect Risk. The risks noted here are in addition to the risks described under Emerging Market Securities Risk . A Fund may, directly or indirectly (through, for example, participation notes or other types of equity-linked notes), purchase shares in mainland China-based companies that trade on Chinese stock exchanges such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (China A-Shares) through the Shanghai and Shenzhen – Hong Kong Stock Connect (Stock Connect), or that may be available in the future through additional stock connect programs, a mutual market access program designed to, among other things, enable foreign investment in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) via brokers in Hong Kong. There are significant risks inherent in investing in China A-Shares through Stock Connect. The underdeveloped state of PRC’s investment and banking systems subjects the settlement, clearing, and registration of China A-Shares transactions to heightened risks. Stock Connect can only operate when both PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. As such, if either or both markets are closed on a U.S. trading day, a Fund may not be able to dispose of its China A-Shares in a timely manner, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. Additionally, Stock Connect is subject to daily quota limitations on purchases of China A-Shares. Once the daily quota is reached, orders to purchase additional China A-Shares through Stock Connect will be rejected. A Fund’s investment in China A-Shares may only be traded through Stock Connect and is not otherwise transferable. Stock Connect utilizes an omnibus clearing structure, and the Fund’s shares will be registered in its custodian’s name on the Central Clearing and Settlement System. This may limit the ability of the Investment Manager (and/or any subadviser, as the case may be) to effectively manage a Fund, and may expose the Fund to the credit risk of its custodian or to greater risk of expropriation. Investment in China A-Shares through Stock Connect may be available only through a single broker that is an affiliate of the Fund’s custodian, which may affect the quality of execution provided by such broker. Stock Connect restrictions could also limit the ability of a Fund to sell its China A-Shares in a timely manner, or to sell them at all. Further, different fees, costs and taxes are imposed on foreign investors acquiring China A-Shares acquired through Stock Connect, and these fees, costs and taxes may be higher than comparable fees, costs and taxes imposed on owners of other securities providing similar investment exposure.
Event-Driven Trading Risk. The Fund may seek to profit from the occurrence of specific corporate or other events. A delay in the timing of these events, or the failure of these events to occur at all, may have a significant negative effect on the Fund’s performance.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 65

 

Event-driven investing requires the relevant manager to make predictions about (i) the likelihood that an event will occur and (ii) the impact such event will have on the value of a company’s securities. If the event fails to occur or it does not have the effect foreseen, losses can result. For example, the adoption of new business strategies, a meaningful change in management or the sale of a division or other significant assets by a company may not be valued as highly by the market as the manager had anticipated, resulting in losses. In addition, a company may announce a plan of restructuring which promises to enhance value and fail to implement it, resulting in losses to investors.
Event-Linked Instruments Risk. The Fund may seek to profit from investment in debt securities whose performance is linked to the occurrence of specific “trigger” events, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or other physical or weather-related phenomena. If a trigger event causes losses exceeding a specific amount in the geographic region and time period specified in a bond, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its principal invested in the bond or suffer a reduction in credited interest. Some event-linked bonds have features that delay the return of capital upon the occurrence of a specified event; in these cases, whether or not there is loss of capital or interest, the return on the investment may be significantly lower during the extension period. Bonds commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds” are a type of event-linked instrument in which the Fund may invest. Catastrophe bonds may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities (such special purpose entities are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined objective, such as the issuance of a note in connection with a reinsurance transaction). The return on these securities is tied primarily to property insurance risk and is analogous to underwriting insurance in certain circumstances. By isolating insurance risk, these securities are largely uncorrelated to other more traditional investments. Risks associated with investment in catastrophe bonds would include, for example, a major hurricane or similar catastrophe striking a heavily populated area of the East Coast of the United States or a major earthquake with an epicenter in an urban area on the West Coast of the United States. In addition to specified trigger events, catastrophe bonds may expose the Fund to other risks, such as credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due), counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund), adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, adverse tax consequences, liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price), and foreign currency risk (the risk that Fund performance may be negatively impacted by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund exposes a significant percentage of its assets to currencies other than the U.S. dollar). Event-linked exposure often provides for an extension of maturity to process and audit loss claims where a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. An extension of maturity may increase volatility. From time to time, the volume of catastrophe bonds available in the market may be insufficient to enable the Fund to invest as great a percentage of its assets in catastrophe bonds as it would like.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. An ETF’s share price may not track its specified market index (if any) and may trade below its NAV. Certain ETFs use a “passive” investment strategy and do not take defensive positions in volatile or declining markets. Other ETFs in which the Fund may invest are actively managed ETFs (i.e., they do not track a particular benchmark), which indirectly subjects the Fund to active management risk. An active secondary market in an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained and may be halted or interrupted due to actions by its listing exchange, unusual market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance an ETF’s shares will continue to be listed on an active exchange. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and, indirectly, the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the ETF. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the ETF.
The Funds generally expect to purchase shares of ETFs through broker-dealers in transactions on a securities exchange, and in such cases the Funds will pay customary brokerage commissions for each purchase and sale. Shares of an ETF may also be acquired by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETF’s underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit, with the ETF’s custodian, in exchange for which the ETF will issue a quantity of new shares sometimes referred to as a “creation unit.” Similarly, shares of an ETF purchased on an exchange may be accumulated until they represent a creation unit, and the creation unit may be redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s NAV) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. The Funds may redeem creation units for the underlying securities (and any applicable cash), and may assemble a portfolio of the underlying securities (and any required cash) to purchase creation units. The Funds’ ability to redeem creation units may be limited by the 1940 Act, which provides that ETFs, the shares of which are purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, will not be obligated to redeem such shares in an amount exceeding one percent of their total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 66

 

Exchange-Traded Notes Risk. Exchange-traded notes (ETNs) are unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities that expose the Fund to the risk that an ETN’s issuer may be unable to pay, which means that the Fund is subject to issuer credit risk, including that the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. ETNs do not typically offer principal protection, so the Fund may lose some or all of its investment. The returns of ETNs are usually linked to the performance of a market benchmark or strategy, less investor fees and expenses. The Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETN, which may cause the Fund’s returns to be lower. The return on ETNs will typically be lower than the total return on a direct investment in the components of the underlying index or strategy because of the ETN’s investor fees and expenses. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market, changes in the applicable interest rates, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying benchmark or strategy.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa. Restrictions on currency trading may be imposed by foreign countries, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Even though the currencies of some countries may be pegged to the U.S. dollar, the conversion rate may be controlled by government regulation or intervention at levels significantly different than what would normally prevail in a free market. Significant revaluations of the U.S. dollar exchange rate of these currencies could cause substantial reductions in the Fund’s NAV.
Foreign Currency-Related Tax Risk. As a regulated investment company (RIC), the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from sources treated as “qualifying income” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund may gain exposure to local currency markets through forward currency contracts. Although foreign currency gains currently constitute “qualifying income,” the Internal Revenue Service has the authority to issue regulations excluding from the definition of “qualifying income” a RIC’s foreign currency gains not “directly related” to its “principal business” of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect thereto). Such regulations might treat gains from some of the Fund’s foreign currency-denominated positions as not qualifying income and there is a possibility that such regulations might be applied retroactively, in which case, the Fund might not qualify as a RIC for one or more years. In the event the Internal Revenue Service issues such regulations, the Fund’s Board may authorize a significant change in investment strategy or the Fund’s liquidation.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. For example, foreign markets can be extremely volatile. Foreign securities may also be less liquid than securities of U.S. companies so that the Fund may, at times, be unable to sell foreign securities at desirable times or prices. Brokerage commissions, custodial costs and other fees are also generally higher for foreign securities. The Fund may have limited or no legal recourse in the event of default with respect to certain foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. In some cases, such withholding or other taxes could potentially be confiscatory. Other risks include: possible delays in the settlement of transactions or in the payment of income; generally less publicly available information about foreign companies; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company or its assets or the assets of a particular investor or category of investors; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards that may be less comprehensive and stringent than those applicable to domestic companies; the imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country; and the generally less stringent standard of care to which local agents may be held in the local markets. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about the securities and business operations of certain foreign issuers. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. The less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the level of risks. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets. Additionally, investments in certain countries may subject the Fund to a number of tax rules, the application of which may be uncertain. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 67

 

denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short or long periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, imposition of currency exchange controls and economic or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. The Fund may also incur currency conversion costs when converting foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Foreign Securities. The Fund’s foreign securities are generally held outside the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of certain eligible foreign banks and trust companies (“foreign sub-custodians”), as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). Settlement practices for foreign securities may differ from those in the United States. Some countries have limited governmental oversight and regulation of industry practices, stock exchanges, depositories, registrars, brokers and listed companies, which increases the risk of corruption and fraud and the possibility of losses to the Fund. In particular, under certain circumstances, foreign securities may settle on a delayed delivery basis, meaning that the Fund may be required to make payment for securities before the Fund has actually received delivery of the securities or deliver securities prior to the receipt of payment. Typically, in these cases, the Fund will receive evidence of ownership in accordance with the generally accepted settlement practices in the local market entitling the Fund to delivery or payment at a future date, but there is a risk that the security will not be delivered to the Fund or that payment will not be received, although the Fund and its foreign sub-custodians take reasonable precautions to mitigate this risk. Losses can also result from lost, stolen or counterfeit securities; defaults by brokers and banks; failures or defects of the settlement system; or poor and improper record keeping by registrars and issuers.
Share Blocking. Share blocking refers to a practice in certain foreign markets under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders takes place. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country. As a consequence of these restrictions, the Investment Manager, on behalf of the Fund, may abstain from voting proxies in markets that require share blocking.
Forward Commitments on Mortgage-Backed Securities (including Dollar Rolls) Risk. When purchasing mortgage-backed securities in the “to be announced” (TBA) market (MBS TBAs), the seller agrees to deliver mortgage-backed securities for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date, but may make no guarantee as to the specific securities to be delivered. In lieu of taking delivery of mortgage-backed securities, the Fund could enter into dollar rolls, which are transactions in which the Fund sells securities to a counterparty and simultaneously agrees to purchase those or similar securities in the future at a predetermined price. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. These transactions may also increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of the security sold, the Fund will also be subject to the risk that the investments purchased with such proceeds will decline in value (a form of leverage risk). MBS TBAs and dollar rolls are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may not perform or be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Frontier Market Risk. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than typical emerging market countries (which themselves have increased investment risk relative to more developed market countries) and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to risks associated with investing in emerging market countries are magnified when the Fund invests in frontier market countries. The increased risks include: the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier market countries; government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries. In addition, frontier market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political and economic conditions. Many frontier market countries are heavily dependent on international trade, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns and other conditions in other countries. Some frontier market countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates and may have hostile relations with other countries. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in frontier market countries are even more likely than emerging markets securities to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk .
Fund-of-Funds Risk. Determinations regarding asset classes or underlying funds and the Fund’s allocations thereto may not successfully achieve the Fund’s investment objective, in whole or in part. The selected underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class they were selected to represent or may be lower than the performance of alternative underlying funds that could have been selected to represent the asset class. The Fund also is exposed to the same risks as the underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds. Therefore, to the extent that the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 68

 

Fund invests significantly in a particular underlying fund, the Fund’s performance would be significantly impacted by the performance of such underlying fund. Generally, by investing in a combination of underlying funds, the Fund has exposure to the risks of many areas of the market. By concentrating its investments in relatively few underlying funds, the Fund may have more concentrated market exposures, subjecting the Fund to greater risk of loss should those markets decline or fail to rise. The ability of the Fund to realize its investment objective will depend, in large part, on the extent to which the underlying funds realize their investment objectives. There is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The performance of underlying funds could be adversely affected if other entities that invest in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Because the expenses and costs of each underlying fund are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in an underlying fund could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for an underlying fund. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of an underlying fund. For certain funds-of-funds, the Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in another underlying fund(s), including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if the Investment Manager is unable to identify an appropriate alternate underlying fund(s) in a timely manner or at all.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. Currency devaluations could occur in countries that have not yet experienced currency devaluation to date, or could continue to occur in countries that have already experienced such devaluations. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Global Economic Risk. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region or across the globe. For instance, a significant slowdown in China’s economy is adversely affecting worldwide commodity prices and the economies of many countries, especially those that depend heavily on commodity production and/or trade with China. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations. The imposition of sanctions by the United States or another government on a country could cause disruptions to the country’s financial system and economy, which could negatively impact the value of securities.
EuroZone. A number of countries in the European Union (EU) have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional EU member countries may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries. If the euro is dissolved entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations and derivative contracts would be determined by laws in effect at such time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted under applicable law. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Certain countries in the EU have had to accept assistance from supra-governmental agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism (the ESM) or other supra-governmental agencies. The European Central Bank has also been intervening to purchase Eurozone debt in an attempt to stabilize markets and reduce borrowing costs.
There can be no assurance that these agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these agencies. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 69

 

Brexit. At a referendum in June 2016, the citizens of the United Kingdom (the UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU), thereby initiating the British exit from the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”). In March 2017, the UK formally invoked Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon to begin the process under which the UK shall withdraw from the EU in due course. Upon invoking Article 50, the UK triggered a two-year period for negotiation of the terms of the withdrawal from the EU. However, there remains a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and new trade agreements will be conducted, as well as the potential consequences and precise timeframe for withdrawal from the EU. While the UK invoked Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon in serving its relevant notice to leave the EU effective March 30, 2019, the full impact remains uncertain. During this period and beyond, the impact of Brexit on the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in the UK, Europe and globally, which may adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
The UK has one of the largest economies in Europe, and member countries of the EU are substantial trading partners of the UK. The UK financial service sector continues to face uncertainty over the final relationship with the EU and globally as a result of Brexit. For example, certain financial services operations may have to move outside of the UK after withdrawal from the EU (e.g., currency trading, international settlement operations). Additionally, depending upon the final terms of Brexit, certain financial services businesses may be forced to move staff and comply with two separate sets of rules or lose business to firms in Europe. Furthermore, the final terms of Brexit may create the potential for decreased trade, the possibility of capital outflows from the UK, devaluation of the pound sterling, the cost of higher corporate bond spreads, and the risk that all the above could negatively impact business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. As a result of Brexit, the British economy and its currency may be negatively impacted by changes to the UK’s economic and political relations with the EU and other countries. Any further exits from the EU by other member states, or the possibility of such exits, would likely cause additional market disruption globally and introduce new legal and regulatory uncertainties.
The impact of Brexit in the near- and long-term is still unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, currencies and asset valuations around the world. Any attempt by the Fund to hedge against or otherwise protect its portfolio or to profit from such circumstances may fail and, accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Hedging Transactions Risk. The Fund may invest in securities and utilize financial instruments for a variety of hedging purposes. Hedging transactions may limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. There can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in hedging transactions at any given time, even under volatile market conditions, or that any hedging transactions the Fund engages in will be successful. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to enter into a hedging transaction at a price sufficient to protect its assets. The Fund may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a portfolio position does not eliminate fluctuations in the values of portfolio positions or prevent losses, but establishes other positions designed to gain from those same developments, which moderates the decline in value. Such hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against an exchange rate, interest rate or security price fluctuation that is generally anticipated, causing it to be unable to enter into a hedging transaction at a price sufficient to protect its assets from the decline in value of the portfolio positions anticipated as a result of such fluctuations.
The Fund is not required to attempt to hedge portfolio positions and, for various reasons, may determine not to do so. Furthermore, the Fund may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it. While the Fund may enter into hedging transactions to seek to reduce risk, such transactions may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if the Fund had not engaged in any such hedging transaction. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio position being hedged may vary. For a variety of reasons, the Fund may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to the risk of loss. The successful utilization of hedging and risk management transactions requires skills complementary to those needed in the selection of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Moreover, it should be noted that a portfolio will always be exposed to certain risks that cannot be hedged, such as credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 70

 

when due), counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty to a transaction in a financial instrument held by the Fund may become insolvent or otherwise fail to perform its obligations, including making payments to the Fund) and liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price).
High-Yield Investments Risk. Securities and other debt instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality tend to be more sensitive to credit risk than higher-rated debt instruments and may experience greater price fluctuations in response to perceived changes in the ability of the issuing entity or obligor to pay interest and principal when due than to changes in interest rates. These investments are generally more likely to experience a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These debt instruments typically pay a premium – a higher interest rate or yield – because of the increased risk of loss, including default. High-yield debt instruments may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, may carry high transaction costs, and also are generally less liquid than higher-rated debt instruments. The ratings provided by third party rating agencies are based on analyses by these ratings agencies of the credit quality of the debt instruments and may not take into account every risk related to whether interest or principal will be timely repaid. In adverse economic and other circumstances, issuers of lower-rated debt instruments are more likely to have difficulty making principal and interest payments than issuers of higher-rated debt instruments.
Highly Leveraged Transactions Risk. The loans or other debt instruments in which the Fund invests may consist of transactions involving refinancings, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions and other financings for general corporate purposes. The Fund’s investments also may include senior obligations of a borrower issued in connection with a restructuring pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (commonly known as “debtor-in-possession” financings), provided that such senior obligations are determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be a suitable investment for the Fund. In such highly leveraged transactions, the borrower assumes large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives. Such business objectives may include but are not limited to: management’s taking over control of a company (leveraged buy-out); reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a company (leveraged recapitalization); or acquiring another company. Loans or other debt instruments that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments.
Impairment of Collateral Risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult or costly to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, certain floating rate and other loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-protected debt securities tend to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates can be described as nominal interest rates minus the expected impact of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-protected debt security falls when real interest rates rise, and rises when real interest rates fall. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and may be more volatile than interest paid on ordinary bonds. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Income earned by a shareholder depends on the amount of principal invested, and that principal will not grow with inflation unless the shareholder reinvests the portion of Fund distributions that comes from inflation adjustments.
IPO Risk. IPOs are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. To the extent the Fund determines to invest in IPOs, it may not be able to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an IPO are available to the Fund. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as the Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of loans and other debt instruments tend to rise. Changes in the value of a debt instrument usually will not affect the amount of income the Fund receives from it but will generally affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Changes in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt instrument, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate declines also may increase prepayments of debt obligations, which, in turn, would increase prepayment risk (the risk that the Fund will have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). Similarly, a period of rising interest rates may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases in interest rates. Such actions may negatively affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and NAV. Debt instruments with floating coupon rates are typically less sensitive to interest rate changes, but these debt instruments may decline in value if their coupon rates do not rise as much as, or keep pace with, yields on such types of debt instruments. Because rates on certain floating rate loans and other debt instruments reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 71

 

significant changes) can be expected to cause fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Any interest rate increases could cause the value of the Fund’s investments in debt instruments to decrease. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the Fund, which may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses.
Investing in Other Funds Risk. The Fund’s investment in other funds (affiliated and/or unaffiliated funds, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) subjects the Fund to the investment performance (positive or negative) and risks of the underlying funds in direct proportion to the Fund’s investment therein. In addition, investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. The performance of the underlying funds could be adversely affected if other investors in the same underlying funds make relatively large investments or redemptions in such underlying funds. The Fund, and its shareholders, indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any funds in which the Fund invests. Due to the expenses and costs of an underlying fund being shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the underlying funds could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such underlying fund. These transactions might also result in higher brokerage, tax or other costs for the underlying funds. This risk may be particularly important when one investor owns a substantial portion of the underlying funds. The Investment Manager typically selects underlying funds from among the funds for which it, or an affiliate, acts as the investment manager (affiliated underlying funds) and will select an unaffiliated underlying fund only if the desired investment exposure is not available through an affiliated fund. The Investment Manager has a conflict of interest in selecting affiliated underlying funds over unaffiliated underlying funds because it receives management fees from affiliated underlying funds, and it has a conflict in selecting among affiliated underlying funds, because the fees paid to it by certain affiliated underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other affiliated underlying funds. Also, to the extent that the Fund is constrained/restricted from investing (or investing further) in a particular underlying fund for one or more reasons (e.g., underlying fund capacity constraints or regulatory restrictions) or if the Fund chooses to sell its investment in an underlying fund because of poor investment performance or for other reasons, the Fund may have to invest in other underlying funds, including less desirable funds – from a strategy or investment performance standpoint – which could have a negative impact on Fund performance. In addition, Fund performance could be negatively impacted if an appropriate alternate underlying fund is not identified in a timely manner or at all.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly, and the value of its loans or securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Investments in larger, more established companies may involve certain risks associated with their larger size. For instance, larger, more established companies may be less able to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in consumer tastes or innovation from smaller competitors. Also, larger companies are sometimes less able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger, more established companies but may also have more risk. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Large Fund Investor Risk. The Fund may from time to time sell a substantial amount of its shares to relatively few investors or a single investor, including other funds advised by the Investment Manager, or third parties. Sales to and redemptions from large investors may be very substantial relative to the size of the Fund and carry potentially adverse effects. While it is not possible to predict the overall effect of such sales and redemptions, such transactions may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is required to invest cash received in connection with a sale or to sell a substantial amount of its portfolio securities to facilitate a redemption, in either case, a time when the Fund would otherwise prefer not to invest or sell, such as in an up market or down market, respectively. Such transactions may also increase the Fund’s transaction costs, which would also detract from Fund performance, while also having potentially negative tax consequences to investors. The Fund, because of a large redemption, may be forced to sell its liquid or more liquid positions, resulting in the Fund holding a higher percentage of less liquid or illiquid securities (i.e., investments that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the instrument). Because the expenses and costs of the Fund are shared by its investors, large redemptions in the Fund could result in
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 72

 

decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for non-redeeming Fund shareholders. In addition, in the event of a Fund proxy proposal, a large investor(s) could dictate with its/their vote the results of the proposal, which may have a less favorable impact on minority-stake shareholders.
Leverage Risk. Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, short sales, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the NAV of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation or position coverage requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Because short sales involve borrowing securities and then selling them, the Fund’s short sales effectively leverage the Fund’s assets. The Fund’s assets that are used as collateral to secure the Fund’s obligations to return the securities sold short may decrease in value while the short positions are outstanding, which may force the Fund to use its other assets to increase the collateral. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
LIBOR Replacement Risk. The elimination of London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) may adversely affect the interest rates on, and value of, certain Fund investments for which the value is tied to LIBOR. Such investments may include bank loans, derivatives, floating rate securities, and other assets or liabilities tied to LIBOR. On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to stop compelling or inducing banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. However, it remains unclear if LIBOR will continue to exist in its current, or a modified, form. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR), that is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. Questions around liquidity impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Fund. The effect of any changes to, or discontinuation of, LIBOR on the Fund will vary depending, among other things, on (1) existing fallback or termination provisions in individual contracts and (2) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR on the Fund until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products, instruments and contracts are commercially accepted.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk associated with any event, circumstance, or characteristic of an investment or market that negatively impacts the Fund’s ability to sell, or realize the proceeds from the sale of, an investment at a desirable time or price. Liquidity risk may arise because of, for example, a lack of marketability of the investment. Decreases in the number of financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealers willing to make markets (match up sellers and buyers) in the Fund’s investments or decreases in their capacity or willingness to trade such investments may increase the Fund’s exposure to this risk. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by the Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. As a result, the Fund, when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as the Fund could exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold, or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by the Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the price of the Fund's investments. Certain types of investments, such as structured notes and non-investment grade debt instruments, as an example, may be especially subject to liquidity risk. Floating rate loans also generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and may trade infrequently on the secondary market. The value of the loan to the Fund may be impaired in the event that the Fund needs to liquidate such loans. The inability to purchase or sell floating rate loans and other debt instruments at a fair price may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Securities or other assets in which the Fund invests may be traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on an exchange and therefore may be more difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Judgment plays a larger role in valuing illiquid or less liquid investments as compared to valuing liquid or more liquid investments. Price volatility may be higher for illiquid or less liquid investments as a result of, for example, the relatively less frequent pricing of
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 73

 

such securities (as compared to liquid or more liquid investments). Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. Overall market liquidity and other factors can lead to an increase in Fund redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and NAV, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell investments in a down market.
Governments and their regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or the Investment Manager or any Fund subadviser, as the case may be, are regulated or supervised. Such legislation or regulation could affect or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Governments and their regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Funds to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Funds.
While the Investment Manager and any subadvisers can endeavor to take various preventative measures to address liquidity risk, including conducting periodic portfolio risk analysis/management and stress-testing, such measures may not be successful and may not have fully accounted for the specific circumstances that ultimately impact a Fund and its holdings.
Listed Private Equity Fund Investment Risk. Private equity funds include financial institutions or vehicles whose principal business is to invest in and lend capital to privately held companies. The Fund is subject to the underlying risks that affect private equity funds in which it invests, which may include increased liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price), pricing risk (the risk that the investment may be difficult to value), sector risk (the risk that a significant portion of Fund assets invested in one or more economic sectors may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly) and credit risk (the risk that the issuer of a debt instrument will default or otherwise become unable, or be perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor a financial obligation, such as making payments to the Fund when due). Limited or incomplete information about the companies in which private equity funds invest, and relatively concentrated investment portfolios of private equity funds, may expose the Fund to greater volatility and risk of loss. Fund investment in private equity funds subjects Fund shareholders indirectly to the fees and expenses incurred by private equity funds.
Loan Assignment/Loan Participation Risk. If a bank loan is acquired through an assignment, the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral. If a bank loan is acquired through a participation, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, and the Fund may not benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and typically have extended settlement periods (generally greater than 7 days). This exposes the Fund to the risk that the receipt of principal and interest payments may be late due to delayed interest settlement. Extended settlement periods during significant Fund redemption activity could potentially cause increased short-term liquidity demands on the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices, or borrow money or effect short settlements where possible (at a cost to the Fund), in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s actions in this regard may not be successful. Interests held in loans created to finance highly leveraged companies or corporate transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if the Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan, including the Fund. Such actions may include invalidating the loan, the lien on the collateral, the priority status of the loan, or ordering the refund of interest previously paid by the borrower. Any such actions by a court could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A default or expected default of a loan
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 74

 

could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the loan at a price approximating the value previously placed on it. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel. This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect its NAV. Loans that have a lower priority for repayment in an issuer’s capital structure may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. In the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders. The remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it. From time to time, disagreements may arise amongst the holders of loans and debt in the capital structure of an issuer, which may give rise to litigation risks, including the risk that a court could take action adverse to the holders of the loan, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee. As an assignee, the Fund will usually succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. Alternatively, the Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and the Fund normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, the Fund would also be subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest would not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund. It may also be difficult for the Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition.
Macro Strategy Risk. The profitability of any macro program depends primarily on the ability of its manager to predict derivative contract price movements to implement investment ideas regarding macroeconomic trends. Price movements for commodity interests are influenced by, among other things: changes in interest rates; governmental, agricultural, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies; weather and climate conditions; natural disasters, such as hurricanes; changing supply and demand relationships; changes in balances of payments and trade; U.S. and international rates of inflation and deflation; currency devaluations and revaluations; U.S. and international political and economic events; and changes in philosophies and emotions of market participants. The manager’s trading methods may not take all of these factors into account.
The global macro programs to which the Fund’s investments are exposed typically use derivative financial instruments that are actively traded using a variety of strategies and investment techniques that involve significant risks. The derivative financial instruments traded include commodities, currencies, futures, options and forward contracts and other derivative instruments that have inherent leverage and price volatility that result in greater risk than instruments used by typical mutual funds, and the systematic programs used to trade them may rely on proprietary investment strategies that are not fully disclosed, which may in turn result in risks that are not anticipated.
Market Risk. The market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. The value of Fund investments may fall or fail to rise because of a variety of actual or perceived factors affecting an issuer (e.g., unfavorable news), the industry or sector in which it operates, or the market as a whole, which may reduce the value of an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods. The market values of the investments the Fund holds can be affected by changes or potential or perceived changes in U.S. or foreign economies, financial markets, interest rates and the liquidity of these investments, among other factors. In addition, as the share of assets invested in passive index-based strategies increases, price correlations among the securities included in an index may increase and the market value of securities, including those included in one or more market indices, may become less correlated with their underlying values. Because index-based strategies generally buy or sell securities based solely on their inclusion in an index, securities prices may rise or fall based on whether money is flowing into or out of these strategies rather than based on an analysis of the securities’ underlying values. This valuation disparity could lead to increased price volatility for individual securities, and the market as a whole, which may result in Fund losses.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Investments in securities (units) of master limited partnerships involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Holders of these units have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. These units may be subject to cash flow and dilution risks. There are also certain tax risks associated with such an investment. In particular, the Fund’s investment in master limited partnerships can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and can limit the Fund’s ability to so qualify. In addition, conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of a master limited partnership, including a conflict arising as a result of incentive distribution payments. In addition, there are risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 75

 

Model and Technology Risk. Investment strategies or programs that are fundamentally dependent on proprietary or licensed technology, such as, among other things, hardware, software, model-based strategies, data gathering systems, order execution, and trade allocation systems, and/or risk management systems may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain errors, omissions, imperfections, or malfunctions. Any such errors, imperfections or limitations in a model could affect the ability of the manager to implement strategies. Despite testing, monitoring and independent safeguards, these errors may result in, among other things, execution and allocation failures and failures to properly gather, organize and analyze amounts of data from third parties and other external sources. More specifically, as it is not possible or practicable for a manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions, managers (and/or affiliated licensors of such data) will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions, all of which may have a negative effect on the Fund.
Errors are often extremely difficult to detect and some may go undetected for long periods of time and some may never be detected. The adverse impact caused by these errors can compound over time. A manager (and/or the licensor of the models or technology) may detect certain errors that it chooses, in its sole discretion, not to address or fix. By necessity, models make simplifying assumptions that limit their efficacy. Models that appear to explain prior market data can fail to predict future market events. Moreover, an increasing number of market participants may rely on models that are similar to those used by a manager (or an affiliate of a manager), which may result in a substantial number of market participants taking the same action with respect to an investment. Should one or more of these other market participants begin to divest themselves of one or more portfolio investments, the Fund could suffer losses. Additionally, shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a manager that uses quantitative techniques will use any specific data or type of data in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be (i) the most accurate data available or (ii) free from errors.
Money Market Fund Investment Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Investment Manager would otherwise redeem shares. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. To the extent these fees and expenses, along with the fees and expenses of any other funds in which the Fund may invest, are expected to equal or exceed 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, they will be reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses set forth in the table under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund.” By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Because a decision to impose or not impose such liquidity fees and/or redemption gates on an affiliated money market fund may negatively impact any Funds that invest in it, all to which the Investment Manager and Board may also owe a fiduciary duty, any recommendation by the Investment Manager or decision by the Board with respect to such fees or gates on the affiliated money market fund may present conflicts of interest to the Investment Manager and the Board. The Board of the affiliated money market fund, for example, could be conflicted by a determination to not impose such fees and/or gates at a time when, if implemented, the other Columbia Funds could potentially experience negative impacts, while not imposing such fees and/or gates could potentially result in a negative impact to the affiliated money market fund. Any decisions by the Board to favor such fees and/or gates could result in reduced or limited investments in the affiliated money market fund by the other Columbia Funds, which may lead to increased affiliated money market fund expenses (which would be borne by the remaining Fund investors).
If a liquidity fee or redemption gate is imposed, an investing Columbia Fund may have to sell other investments at less than opportune times rather than using the cash invested in the money market fund to meet shareholder redemptions. The Investment Manager, as a result of any such fees and/or gates on an affiliated money market fund (or the potential imposition thereof,
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 76

 

recognizing that the Investment Manager will be aware of the affiliated money market fund’s liquid assets position), may determine to not invest the other Columbia Funds’ assets in the affiliated money market fund, and potentially be forced to invest in more expensive, lower-performing investments.
Money Market Fund Risk. Although government money market funds (such as VP - Government Money Market Fund) may seek to preserve the value of shareholders’ investment at $1.00 per share, the NAVs of such money market fund shares can fall, and in infrequent cases in the past have fallen, below $1.00 per share, potentially causing shareholders who redeem their shares at such NAVs to lose money from their original investment.
At times of (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or a few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) insufficient levels of cash in the Fund's portfolio to satisfy redemption activity, and (iii) disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in order to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. Sales of portfolio securities at such times could result in losses to the Fund and cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. Additionally, in some cases, the default of a single portfolio security could cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In addition, neither the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that they or any person will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
It is possible that, during periods of low prevailing interest rates or otherwise, the income from portfolio securities may be less than the amount needed to pay ongoing Fund operating expenses and may prevent payment of any dividends or distributions to Fund shareholders or cause the NAV of Fund shares to fall below $1.00 per share. In such cases, the Fund may reduce or eliminate the payment of such dividends or distributions or seek to reduce certain of its operating expenses. There is no guarantee that such actions would enable the Fund to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share.
Mortgage- and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of mortgages from which payments of interest and principal (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities) are distributed to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Other types of asset-backed securities typically represent interests in, or are backed by, pools of receivables such as credit, automobile, student and home equity loans. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities can have a fixed or an adjustable rate. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price) and prepayment risk (the risk that the underlying mortgage or other asset may be refinanced or prepaid prior to maturity during periods of declining or low interest rates, causing the Fund to have to reinvest the money received in securities that have lower yields). In addition, the impact of prepayments on the value of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities may be difficult to predict and may result in greater volatility. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in the mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed (i) by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association) or (ii) by its agencies, authorities, enterprises or instrumentalities (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)), which are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (although FNMA and FHLMC may be able to access capital from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations under such securities). Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various credit enhancements, such as pool insurance, guarantees issued by governmental entities, letters of credit from a bank or senior/subordinated structures, and may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government, whether or not such obligations are guaranteed by the private issuer.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 77

 

Multi-Strategy Risk. The multi-strategy approach employed by the Fund involves special risks, which include the risk that investment decisions, at the Fund or the underlying fund level, may conflict with each other; for example, at any particular time, one manager may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another manager. Consequently, the Fund could indirectly incur transaction costs without accomplishing any net investment result. Also, managers may use proprietary or licensed investment strategies that are based on considerations and factors that are not fully disclosed to the Fund or other investors.
Moreover, consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, these proprietary or licensed investment strategies, which may include quantitative mathematical models or systems, may be changed or refined over time. A manager (or the licensor of the strategies used by the manager) may make certain changes to the strategies the manager has previously used, may not use such strategies at all (or the manager’s license may be revoked), or may use additional strategies, where such changes or discretionary decisions, and the reasons for such changes or decisions, are also not disclosed to the Fund or other investors. These strategies may involve risks under some market conditions that are not anticipated by the Investment Manager or the Fund.
Municipal Securities Risk. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for a specific project or public facility, and include obligations of the governments of the U.S. territories, commonwealths and possessions such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the extent such obligations are exempt from state and U.S. federal income taxes. The value of municipal securities can be significantly affected by actual or expected political and legislative changes at the federal or state level. Municipal securities may be fully or partially backed by the taxing authority of the local government, by the credit of a private issuer, by the current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or by domestic or foreign entities providing credit support, such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance, and are generally classified into general obligation bonds and special revenue obligations. General obligation bonds are backed by an issuer's taxing authority and may be vulnerable to limits on a government's power or ability to raise revenue or increase taxes. They may also depend for payment on legislative appropriation and/or funding or other support from other governmental bodies. Revenue obligations are payable from revenues generated by a particular project or other revenue source, and are typically subject to greater risk of default than general obligation bonds because investors can look only to the revenue generated by the project or other revenue source backing the project, rather than to the general taxing authority of the state or local government issuer of the obligations. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance projects in sectors such as education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market. The amount of publicly available information for municipal issuers is generally less than for corporate issuers.
Issuers in a state, territory, commonwealth or possession in which the Fund invests may experience significant financial difficulties for various reasons, including as the result of events that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled such as social conflict or unrest, labor disruption and natural disasters. Such financial difficulties may lead to credit rating downgrade(s) of such issuers which, in turn, could affect the market values and marketability of many or all municipal obligations of issuers in such state, territory, commonwealth or possession. The value of the Fund’s shares will be negatively impacted to the extent it invests in such securities. Securities issued by Puerto Rico and its agencies and instrumentalities have been subject to multiple credit downgrades as a result of Puerto Rico's ongoing fiscal challenges and uncertainty about its ability to make full repayment on these obligations. These challenges and uncertainties have been exacerbated by hurricane Maria and the resulting natural disaster in Puerto Rico. Additionally, recent statements by government officials regarding management of the recovery burden may increase price volatility and the risk that Puerto Rican municipal securities held by the Fund will lose value. Even prior to the recent natural disaster, certain issuers of Puerto Rican municipal securities had failed to make payments on obligations when due, and additional missed payments or defaults are likely to occur in the future. In May 2017, Puerto Rico filed in U.S. federal court to commence a debt restructuring process similar to that of a traditional municipal bankruptcy under a new federal law for insolvent U.S. territories, called Promesa. However, Puerto Rico's case will be the first ever heard under Promesa for which there is no existing body of court precedent. Accordingly, Puerto Rico's debt restructuring process could take significantly longer than recent municipal bankruptcy proceedings adjudicated pursuant to Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. It is not clear whether a debt restructuring process will ultimately be approved or, if so, the extent to which it will apply to Puerto Rico municipal securities sold by an issuer other than the Commonwealth. A debt restructuring could reduce the principal amount due, the interest rate, the maturity and other terms of Puerto Rico municipal securities, which could adversely affect the value of Puerto Rico municipal securities. To the extent a Fund invests in these securities, such developments could adversely impact the Fund's performance. The Fund’s annual and semiannual reports show the Fund’s investment exposures at a point in time. The risk of investing in the Fund is directly correlated to the Fund’s investment exposures.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 78

 

Opportunistic Investing Risk. Undervalued securities involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the security's intrinsic worth or the expected value was misgauged. Undervalued securities also may decline in price even though the Investment Manager believes they are already undervalued. Turnaround companies may never improve their fundamentals, may take much longer than expected to improve, or may improve much less than expected. Development stage companies could fail to develop and deplete their assets, resulting in large percentage losses.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. The price of a preferred stock is generally determined by earnings, type of products or services, projected growth rates, experience of management, liquidity, and general market conditions of the markets on which the stock trades. The most significant risks associated with investments in preferred stock include issuer risk, market risk and interest rate risk ( i.e. , the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates).
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be called as expected. In the case of prepayment risk, if the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, the portfolio managers may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. In the case of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities, as interest rates decrease or spreads narrow, the likelihood of prepayment increases. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage- or other asset-backed security beyond the prepayment time. If the Fund's investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the portfolio managers may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Qualified Financial Contracts Risk. Qualified financial contracts include agreements relating to swaps, currency forwards and other derivatives as well as repurchase agreements and securities lending agreements. Beginning in 2019, regulations adopted by prudential regulators will require certain qualified financial contracts entered into with certain counterparties that are part of a U.S. or foreign banking organization designated as a global-systemically important banking organization to include contractual provisions that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Funds, to exercise certain close-out, cross-default and similar rights under certain conditions. Qualified financial contracts are subject to a stay for a specified time period during which counterparties, such as the Funds, will be prevented from closing out a qualified financial contract if the counterparty is subject to resolution proceedings and prohibit the Funds from exercising default rights due to a receivership or similar proceeding of an affiliate of the counterparty. Implementation of these requirements may increase credit and other risks to the Funds.
Quantitative Model Risk. The Fund may use quantitative methods to select investments. Securities or other investments selected using quantitative methods may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance for many reasons, including factors used in building the quantitative analytical framework, the weights placed on each factor, and changing sources of market returns, among others. Any errors or imperfections in the quantitative analyses or models, or in the data on which they are based, could adversely affect the effective use of such analyses or models, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. It is not possible or practicable for a quantitative manager to factor all relevant, available data into quantitative model forecasts and/or trading decisions. Quantitative managers will use their discretion to determine the data to be collected with respect to an investment strategy and the data the models will incorporate in producing forecasts that may have an impact on ultimate trading decisions. Shareholders should be aware that there is no guarantee that a quantitative manager will use any specific data or type of data in making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund, nor is there any guarantee that the data actually utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions on behalf of the Fund will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. There can be no assurance that these methodologies will enable the Fund to achieve its objective.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 79

 

favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Redemption Risk. The Fund may need to sell portfolio securities to meet redemption requests. The Fund could experience a loss when selling portfolio securities to meet redemption requests if there is (i) significant redemption activity by shareholders, including, for example, when a single investor or few large investors make a significant redemption of Fund shares, (ii) a disruption in the normal operation of the markets in which the Fund buys and sells portfolio securities or (iii) the inability of the Fund to sell portfolio securities because such securities are illiquid. In such events, the Fund could be forced to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund may suspend redemptions or the payment of redemption proceeds when permitted by applicable regulations.
Regulatory Risk — Alternative Investments. Legal, tax, and regulatory developments may adversely affect the Fund and its investments. The regulatory environment for the Fund and certain of its investments is evolving, and changes in the regulation of investment funds, their managers, and their trading activities and capital markets, or a regulator’s disagreement with the Fund’s or others’ interpretation of the application of certain regulations, may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, its ability to obtain leverage and financing, and the value of investments held by the Fund. There has been an increase in governmental, as well as self-regulatory, scrutiny of the investment industry in general and the alternative investment industry in particular. It is impossible to predict what, if any, changes in regulations may occur, but any regulation that restricts the ability of the Fund or any underlying funds or other investments to trade in securities or other instruments or the ability of the Fund or underlying funds to employ, or brokers and other counterparties to extend, credit in their trading (as well as other regulatory changes that result) could have a material adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.
Shareholders should understand that the Fund’s business is dynamic and is expected to change over time. Therefore, the Fund and its underlying investments may be subject to new or additional regulatory constraints in the future. Such regulations may have a significant impact on shareholders or the operations of the Fund, including, without limitation, restricting the types of investments the Fund may make, preventing the Fund from exercising its voting rights with regard to certain financial instruments, requiring the Fund to disclose the identity of its investors or otherwise. To the extent the Fund or its underlying investments are subject to such regulation, such regulations may have a detrimental effect on one or more shareholders. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their own advisors regarding an investment in the Fund.
Regulatory Risk — Money Market Funds. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk arises when the Fund is unable to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Repurchase Agreements Risk. Repurchase agreements are agreements in which the seller of a security to the Fund agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Repurchase agreements carry the risk that the counterparty may not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. This could cause the Fund's income and the value of your investment in the Fund to decline.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which a Fund sells a security to a counterparty, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually agreed upon price and time. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the security sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund must repurchase the security. Reverse repurchase agreements also may be viewed as a form of borrowing, and borrowed assets used for investment creates leverage risk (the risk that losses may be greater than the amount invested). Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund’s volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that this strategy will be successful.
Rule 144A and Other Exempted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in privately placed and other securities or instruments exempt from SEC registration (collectively “private placements”), subject to liquidity and other regulatory restrictions. In the U.S. market, private placements are typically sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or qualified purchasers, as applicable. An insufficient number of buyers interested in purchasing private placements at a particular time could adversely affect the marketability of such investments and the Fund might be unable to dispose of them promptly or at reasonable prices, subjecting the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price). The Fund may invest in private placements determined to be liquid as well as those determined to be illiquid. Even if determined to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings of private placements may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers are unable or unwilling to purchase them at a particular time. The Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 80

 

securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Additionally, the purchase price and subsequent valuation of private placements typically reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a more liquid market exists. Issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available since the offering is not filed with the SEC. Further, issuers of Rule 144A eligible securities can require recipients of the offering information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business within one or more economic sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly the Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Sector Risk — Consumer Discretionary/Staples Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the consumer discretionary and staples sectors, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the consumer discretionary and staples sectors are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, currency exchange rates, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes. Companies in these sectors may be subject to competitive forces (including competition brought by an influx of foreign brands), which may also have an adverse impact on their profitability. These sectors may be strongly affected by fads, marketing campaigns, changes in demographics and consumer preferences, and other economic or social factors affecting consumer demand. Governmental regulation, including price controls and regulations on packaging, labeling, competition, and certification, may affect the profitability of certain companies invested in by the Fund. Companies operating in these sectors may also be adversely affected by government and private litigation.
Sector Risk — Energy Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the energy sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and increased competition. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, local and international politics, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resources areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the energy sector. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The energy sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions.
Sector Risk — Financial Services Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the financial services sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses ( e.g. , subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Sector Risk — Health Care Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the health care sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 81

 

Sector Risk — Industrials Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the industrials sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Sector Risk — Materials Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the materials sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the materials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the materials sector are subject to certain risks, including that many materials companies are significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, environmental policies, consumer demand, and events occurring in nature. For instance, natural events (such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as government instability or military confrontations) can affect the value of companies involved in business activities in the materials sector. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, among others, that at times worldwide production of industrial materials has exceeded demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns or losses. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The materials sector may also be affected by economic cycles, rising interest rates, high inflation, technical progress, labor relations, legislative or regulatory changes, local and international politics, and adverse market conditions. In addition, prices of, and thus the Fund’s investments in, precious metals are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide and economic, financial and political factors. Prices of precious metals may fluctuate sharply.
Sector Risk — Technology and Technology-Related Sector Investment Risk. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in technology and technology related sectors, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in those sectors, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Sector Risk — Utilities Sector Investments. To the extent a Fund concentrates its investments in companies in the energy sector, it may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in that sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the utilities sector are subject to certain risks, including risks associated with government regulation, interest rate changes, financing difficulties, supply and demand for services or products, intense competition, natural resource conservation and commodity price fluctuations.
Short Positions Risk. A Fund that establishes short positions introduces more risk to the Fund than a fund that only takes long positions (where the Fund owns the instrument or other asset) because the maximum sustainable loss on an instrument or other asset purchased (held long) is limited to the amount paid for the instrument or other asset plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum price of the shorted instrument or other asset when purchased in the open market. Therefore, in theory, short positions have unlimited risk. The Fund’s use of short positions in effect “leverages” the Fund. Leverage potentially exposes the Fund to greater risks of loss due to unanticipated market movements, which may magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns. To the extent the Fund takes a short position in a derivative instrument or other asset, this involves the risk of a potentially unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument or other asset.
Sovereign Debt Risk. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
With respect to sovereign debt of emerging market issuers, investors should be aware that certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis and that has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness to the detriment of debtholders. Sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging market issuers.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 82

 

Special Situations Risk. Securities of companies that are involved in an initial public offering or a major corporate event, such as a business consolidation or restructuring, may be exposed to heightened risk because of the high degree of uncertainty that can be associated with such events. Securities issued in initial public offerings often are issued by companies that are in the early stages of development, have a history of little or no revenues and may operate at a loss following the offering. It is possible that there will be no active trading market for the securities after the offering, and that the market price of the securities may be subject to significant and unpredictable fluctuations. Initial public offerings are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. To the extent the Fund determines to invest in initial public offerings, it may not be able to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an initial public offering are available to the Fund. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in initial public offerings may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. Certain “special situation” investments are investments in securities or other instruments that may be classified as illiquid or lacking a readily ascertainable fair value. Certain special situation investments prevent ownership interests therein from being withdrawn until the special situation investment, or a portion thereof, is realized or deemed realized, which may negatively impact Fund performance. Investing in special situations may have a magnified effect on the performance of funds with small amounts of assets.
Stripped Securities Risk. Stripped securities are the separate income or principal components of debt securities. These securities are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, and therefore subject to greater fluctuations in price than typical interest bearing debt securities. For example, stripped mortgage-backed securities have greater interest rate risk than mortgage-backed securities with like maturities, and stripped treasury securities have greater interest rate risk (the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates) than traditional government securities with identical credit ratings.
Terrorism, War, Natural Disaster and Epidemic Risk. Terrorism, war, military confrontations and related geopolitical events (and their aftermath) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as, for example, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and weather-related phenomena generally, as well as widespread disease and virus epidemics, can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Funds’ investments.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk. While U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government, such securities are nonetheless subject to credit risk ( i.e. , the risk that the U.S. Government may be, or may be perceived to be, unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments). Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or authorities and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities or enterprises may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. For example, securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. These securities may be supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or only by the credit of the issuing agency, authority, instrumentality or enterprise and, as a result, are subject to greater credit risk than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Valuation Risk. The sales price the Fund (or an underlying fund or other investment vehicle) could receive for any particular investment may differ from the Fund’s (or an underlying fund’s or other investment vehicle’s) valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology that produces an estimate of the fair value of the security/instrument, which may prove to be inaccurate. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding securities or other instruments (or holding shares of underlying funds or other investment vehicles that have fair-valued securities or other instruments in their portfolios) may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if the Fund (or underlying fund or other investment vehicle) had not fair-valued the security or instrument or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed-income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the market on which they are valued, but before the Fund determines its NAV.
Warrants and Rights Risk. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants may be acquired separately or in connection with the acquisition of securities. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant, including market risk. Warrants may expire unexercised and subject the Fund to liquidity risk (the risk that it may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate the instrument at an advantageous time or price), which may result in Fund losses. Rights are available to existing shareholders of an issuer to enable them to maintain proportionate ownership in the issuer by being able to buy newly issued shares. Rights allow shareholders to buy the shares
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 83

 

below the current market price. Rights are typically short-term instruments that are valued separately and trade in the secondary market during a subscription (or offering) period. Holders can exercise the rights and purchase the stock, sell the rights or let them expire. Their value, and their risk of investment loss, is a function of that of the underlying security.
When-Issued, Delayed Settlement and Forward Commitment Transactions, Including U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes Risk. When-issued, delayed delivery, and forward commitment transactions generally involve the purchase of a security with payment and delivery at some time in the future – i.e., beyond normal settlement. A Fund does not earn interest on such securities until settlement and bears the risk of market value fluctuations in between the purchase and settlement dates. Such transactions include floating rate obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury. Securities with floating or variable interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with fixed interest rates, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. A decline in interest rates may result in a reduction in income received from floating rate securities held by the Fund and may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s shares. Generally, floating rate securities carry lower yields than fixed notes of the same maturity. The interest rate for a floating rate note resets or adjusts periodically by reference to a benchmark interest rate. The impact of interest rate changes on floating rate investments is typically mitigated by the periodic interest rate reset of the investments. Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. The supply of floating rate notes issued by the U.S. Treasury will be limited. There is no guarantee or assurance that: the Fund will be able to invest in a desired amount of floating rate notes or be able to buy floating rate notes at a desirable price; floating rate notes will continue to be issued by the U.S. Treasury; or floating rate notes will be actively traded. Any or all of the foregoing, should they occur, would negatively impact the Fund.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds are bonds that do not pay interest in cash on a current basis, but instead accrue interest over the life of the bond. As a result, these securities are issued at a discount and their values may fluctuate more than the values of similar securities that pay interest periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to maturity, interest accrued on these securities is reported as income to the Fund and affects the amounts distributed to its shareholders, which may cause the Fund to sell investments to obtain cash to make income distributions to shareholders, including at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.
Auditor Independence Risk. The Fund prepares financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and has engaged PwC to serve as the independent accountant to the Fund. As the Fund’s independent accountant, PwC must meet regulatory requirements relating to independence, including the SEC’s auditor independence rules which prohibit accounting firms from having certain financial relationships with their audit clients and affiliated entities. Specifically, as interpreted by SEC staff, under Rule 2-01(c)(1)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-X (the Loan Rule), an accounting firm would not be considered independent if it receives a loan from a lender or an affiliate of a lender that is a “record or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of the audit client’s equity securities.” PwC has advised the Audit Committee of the Board that PwC and certain of its affiliates have loans from lenders who are also record owners of more than 10% of the shares issued by several funds in the Columbia Funds Complex or certain other entities within the Ameriprise Financial investment company complex.
On June 20, 2016, the SEC staff issued a “no-action” letter (the First Loan Rule No-Action Letter) confirming that it would not recommend that the SEC commence enforcement action against a fund that continues to fulfill its regulatory requirements under the federal securities laws by using audit services performed by an audit firm that is not in compliance with the Loan Rule, provided that: (1) the audit firm has complied with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Rule 3526(b)(1) and 3526(b)(2) or, with respect to any fund or entity to which Rule 3526 does not apply, has provided substantially equivalent communications; (2) the audit firm’s non-compliance under the Loan Rule is limited to certain lending relationships; and (3) notwithstanding such non-compliance, the audit firm has concluded that it is objective and impartial with respect to the issues encompassed within its engagement. Although the First Loan Rule No-Action Letter was issued to one fund complex, it is generally available to other fund complexes. On September 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued a second “no-action” letter (together with the First Loan Rule No-Action Letter, the “Loan Rule No Action Letter”) extending the relief under the Loan Rule No-Action Letter indefinitely. On May 2, 2018, the SEC proposed amendments to the Loan Rule, which, if adopted as proposed, would refocus the analysis that must be conducted to determine whether an auditor is independent when the auditor has a lending relationship with certain shareholders of an audit client at any time during an audit or professional engagement period.
After evaluating the facts and circumstances related to the Loan Rule and PwC’s lending relationships, PwC advised the Audit Committee of the Board that (1) PwC is independent with respect to the Fund, within the meaning of PCAOB Rule 3520, (2) PwC has concluded that it is objective and impartial with respect to the issues encompassed within its engagement, including the audit of the Fund’s financial statements, and (3) PwC believes that it can continue to serve as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. It is the Fund’s understanding that issues under the Loan Rule affect other major accounting firms and many mutual fund complexes. It is anticipated that an ultimate resolution of the issues under the Loan Rule will be
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 84

 

achieved; however, if PwC were determined not to be independent or the Fund were unable to rely on the Loan Rule No-Action Letter or some form of exemptive relief, among other things, the financial statements audited by PwC may have to be audited by another independent registered public accounting firm and the Fund could incur additional expense and other burdens on its operations.
Certain of the risks described above in this SAI may also apply, directly or indirectly, to the Investment Manager and any investment subadviser and their affiliates, which may negatively impact their respective abilities to provide services to the Funds, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund or other consequences.
Borrowings
In general, pursuant to the 1940 Act, a Fund may borrow money only from banks in an amount not exceeding 33  1 3 % of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed this amount must be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 33  1 3 % limitation.
The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into a revolving credit facility agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, N.A. whereby the Funds may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes. Pursuant to a December 8, 2015 amendment, the Credit Agreement, which is a collective agreement between the Funds and certain other funds managed by the Investment Manager (collectively, the Participating Funds), severally and not jointly, permits the Participating Funds to borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $1 billion (the Commitment Limit) at any time outstanding, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. A Fund may borrow up to the maximum amount allowable under its current Prospectus and this SAI, subject to various other legal, regulatory or contractual limits. Borrowing results in interest expense and other fees and expenses for a Fund that may impact that Fund’s expenses, including any net expense ratios. The costs of borrowing may reduce a Fund's return. If a Fund borrows pursuant to the Credit Agreement, that Fund is charged interest at a variable rate. The Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the amount of the credit facility. The availability of assets under the Credit Agreement can be affected by other Participating Funds’ borrowings under the agreement. As such, a Fund may be unable to borrow (or borrow further) under the Credit Agreement if the Commitment Limit has been reached.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
To generate additional income, a Fund may lend up to 33%, or such lower percentage specified by the Fund or Investment Manager, of the value of its total assets (including securities out on loan) to broker-dealers, banks or other institutional borrowers of securities. JPMorgan serves as lending agent (the Lending Agent) to the Funds pursuant to a securities lending agreement (the Securities Lending Agreement) approved by the Board. Under the Securities Lending Agreement, the Lending Agent loans Fund securities to approved borrowers pursuant to borrower agreements in exchange for collateral at least equal in value to the loaned securities, marked to market daily. Collateral may consist of cash, securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities (collectively, “U.S. Government securities”) or such other collateral as may be approved by the Board. For loans secured by cash, the Fund retains the interest earned on cash collateral, but the Fund is required to pay the borrower a rebate for the use of the cash collateral. For loans secured by U.S. Government securities, the borrower pays a borrower fee to the Lending Agent on behalf of the Fund.
If the market value of the loaned securities goes up, the Fund will require additional collateral from the borrower. If the market value of the loaned securities goes down, the borrower may request that some collateral be returned. During the existence of the loan, the Fund will receive from the borrower amounts equivalent to any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, as well as interest on such amounts.
Loans are subject to termination by a Fund or a borrower at any time. A Fund may choose to terminate a loan in order to vote in a proxy solicitation, as described in this SAI under Investment Management and Other Services – Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures – General.
Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that a borrower may not provide sufficient or any collateral when required or may not return the loaned securities, timely or at all. Counterparty risk also includes a potential loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the Lending Agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased if a Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single borrower or limited number of borrowers. There are no limits on the number of borrowers a Fund may use and a Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. Funds participating in securities lending also bear the risk of loss in connection with investments of cash collateral received from the borrowers. Cash collateral may only be invested in short-term, highly liquid obligations, and in accordance with investment guidelines contained in the Securities Lending Agreement and approved by the Board. Some or all of the cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program may be invested in one or more pooled investment vehicles, including, among other vehicles, money market
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 85

 

funds managed by the Lending Agent (or its affiliates). The Lending Agent shares in any income resulting from the investment of such cash collateral, and an affiliate of the Lending Agent may receive asset-based fees for the management of such pooled investment vehicles, which may create a conflict of interest between the Lending Agent (or its affiliates) and the Fund with respect to the management of such cash collateral. To the extent that the value or return of a Fund’s investments of the cash collateral declines below the amount owed to a borrower, a Fund may incur losses that exceed the amount it earned on lending the security. The Lending Agent will indemnify a fund from losses resulting from a borrower’s failure to return a loaned security when due, but such indemnification does not extend to losses associated with declines in the value of cash collateral investments. The Investment Manager is not responsible for any loss incurred by the Funds in connection with the securities lending program.
The Funds currently do not participate in the securities lending program, but the Board may determine to renew participation in the future.
Interfund Lending
Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC (the “Lending Order”), the Funds entered into a master interfund lending agreement (the “Interfund Program”) with each other and certain other funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. For purposes of this subsection only, the term “Participating Fund” includes the Funds and any other fund advised by the Investment Manager that is subject to the Lending Order. Under the Interfund Program, each Participating Fund may lend money directly to and, other than closed-end funds and money market funds (including VP - Government Money Market Fund), borrow money directly from other Participating Funds for temporary purposes through the Interfund Program (each an “Interfund Loan”). Participating Funds issuing Interfund Loans are referred to below as “Borrowing Funds,” and Participating Funds acquiring Interfund Loans are referred to below as “Lending Funds.” All Interfund Loans would consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the Lending Fund otherwise could invest directly or indirectly in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments.
If a Participating Fund has outstanding bank borrowings, any Interfund Loan to the Participating Fund will: (i) be at an interest rate equal to or lower than the interest rate of any outstanding bank loan; (ii) be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral; (iii) have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not longer than seven days); and (iv) provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Participating Fund, that event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the Lending Fund) constitute an immediate event of default under the interfund lending agreement, entitling the Lending Fund to call the Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral), and that such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the Borrowing Fund.
A Participating Fund may make an unsecured borrowing under the Interfund Program if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the borrowing under the Interfund Program are equal to or less than 10% of its total assets, provided that if the Participating Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another Participating Fund, the Participating Fund’s borrowing under the Interfund Program will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If a Participating Fund’s total outstanding borrowings immediately after borrowing under the Interfund Program exceed 10% of its total assets, the Participating Fund may borrow under the Interfund Program on a secured basis only. A Participating Fund may not borrow under the Interfund Program or from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the borrowing would be more than 33 1/3% of its total assets or any lower threshold provided for by a Participating Fund’s fundamental restriction or non-fundamental policy.
No Participating Fund may lend to another Participating Fund through the Interfund Program if the loan would cause the Lending Fund’s aggregate outstanding loans under the Interfund Program to exceed 15% of its current net assets at the time of the loan. A Participating Fund’s Interfund Loans to any one Participating Fund may not exceed 5% of the Lending Fund’s net assets at the time of the loan. The duration of Interfund Loans will be limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days. Interfund Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this limitation. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a Lending Fund and may be repaid on any day by a Borrowing Fund.
The limitations described above and the other conditions of the Lending Order are designed to minimize the risks associated with Interfund Lending for both the Lending Fund and the Borrowing Fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a Participating Fund borrows money from another Participating Fund under the Interfund Program, there is a risk that the Interfund Loan could be called on one day’s notice, in which case the Borrowing Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan is not available from another Participating Fund. Interfund Loans are subject to the risk that the Borrowing Fund could be unable to repay the loan when due, and a delay in repayment to a Lending Fund could result in
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 86

 

a lost opportunity or additional lending costs for the Lending Fund. No Participating Fund may borrow more than the amount permitted by its investment restrictions. Because the Investment Manager provides investment management services to both the Lending Fund and the Borrowing Fund, the Investment Manager may have a potential conflict of interest in determining that an Interfund Loan is comparable in credit quality to other high quality money market instruments. The Participating Funds have adopted policies and procedures that are designed to manage potential conflicts of interest, but the administration of the Interfund Program may be subject to such conflicts.
As noted above, VP - Government Money Market Fund may only participate in the Interfund Program as a Lending Fund.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 87

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
The Investment Manager and Subadvisers
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the investment manager of the Funds as well as for other funds in the Columbia Funds Complex. The Investment Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, which is located at 1099 Ameriprise Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474. Ameriprise Financial is a holding company, which primarily conducts business through its subsidiaries to provide financial planning, products and services that are designed to be utilized as solutions for clients’ cash and liquidity, asset accumulation, income, protection and estate and wealth transfer needs.
The Investment Manager and its investment advisory affiliates (Affiliates or Participating Affiliates) around the world may coordinate in providing services to their clients. Such coordination may include functional leadership of the business (the “Global” business). From time to time the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Funds, as the case may be) may engage its Affiliates or Participating Affiliates to provide a variety of services such as investment research, investment monitoring, trading, and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management) to certain accounts managed by the Investment Manager, including the Funds. These Affiliates or Participating Affiliates will provide services to the Investment Manager (or any affiliated investment subadviser to the Funds as the case may be) either pursuant to subadvisory agreements, personnel-sharing agreements or similar inter-company arrangements and the Funds will pay no additional fees and expenses as a result of any such arrangements. These Affiliates or Participating Affiliates, like the Investment Manager, are direct or indirect subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial and are registered with the appropriate respective regulators in their home jurisdictions and, where required, the SEC and the CFTC in the United States.
Pursuant to some of these arrangements, personnel of these Affiliates or Participating Affiliates may serve as “associated persons” of the Investment Manager and, in this capacity, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Investment Manager and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Funds' prospectuses and this SAI, may provide such services to the Funds on behalf of the Investment Manager.
Services Provided
Each Fund has entered into the Management Agreement with the Investment Manager, effective as of May 1, 2016 (the Management Agreement Effective Date). Under the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager has contracted to, subject to general oversight by the Board, manage and supervise the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the Funds. In this role, the Investment Manager furnishes each such Fund with investment research and advice and all of the services necessary for, or appropriate to, the business and effective operation of each Fund that are not (a) provided by employees or other agents engaged by the Fund or (b) required to be provided by any person pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement with the Fund. Under the Management Agreement, any liability of the Investment Manager to the Trust, a Fund and/or its shareholders is limited to situations involving the Investment Manager’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.
The Management Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice by the Investment Manager or by the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. The Management Agreement will automatically terminate upon any assignment thereof, will continue in effect for two years from its initial effective date and thereafter will continue from year to year with respect to a Fund only so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Investment Manager or the Trust.
The Investment Manager pays all compensation of the Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Investment Manager or its affiliates. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the Investment Manager and except to the extent required by law to be paid or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager does not have a duty to pay any Fund operating expenses incurred in the organization and operation of a Fund, including, but not limited to, auditing, legal, custodial, investor servicing and shareholder reporting expenses. The Fund pays the cost of printing and mailing Fund prospectuses to shareholders.
The Investment Manager, at its own expense, provides office space, facilities and supplies, equipment and personnel for the performance of its functions under each Fund’s Management Agreement.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 88

 

Management Agreement Fee Rates
Each Fund set forth in the table below, unless otherwise noted, pays the Investment Manager an annual fee for its management services, as set forth in the Management Agreement and the table below, as of the Management Agreement Effective Date. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of each Fund and is paid monthly. The Investment Manager and/or its affiliates may from time to time waive fees and/or reimburse certain Fund expenses. See the Funds’ prospectuses for more information.
Management Agreement Fee Schedule
Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund (a) $0-$500 0.500%
  >$500-$1,000 0.495%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.480%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.460%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.445%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.430%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.415%
  >$9,000-$12,000 0.410%
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.390%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.380%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.360%
  >$50,000 0.340%
VP – Balanced Fund $0-$500 0.720%
  >$500-$1,000 0.670%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.620%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.570%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.550%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.530%
  >$12,000 0.520%
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund $0-$500 0.510%
  >$500-$1,000 0.505%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.475%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.450%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.415%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.390%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.375%
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.370%
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.360%
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.350%
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.340%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.330%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.310%
  >$50,000 0.290%
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund $0-$500 0.750%
  >$500-$1,000 0.745%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.720%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.670%
  >$3,000 0.660%
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund (g) $0-$500 0.970%
  >$500-$1,000 0.920%
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.820%
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.780%
  >$12,000 0.770%
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund (b) $0-$500 0.630%
  >$500-$1,000 0.580%
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.550%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.520%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.500%
  >$12,000 0.490%
VP – Core Equity Fund All 0.400%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 89

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund (f) $0-$500 0.870%
VP – DFA International Value Fund >$500-$1,000 0.820%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.770%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.720%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.700%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.680%
  >$12,000 0.670%
VP – Disciplined Core Fund
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund
$0-$500 0.770%
>$500-$1,000 0.715%
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.615%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.600%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.580%
  >$12,000 0.570%
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund $0-$500 0.720%
  >$500-$1,000 0.670%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.620%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.570%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.550%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.530%
  >$12,000 0.520%
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund $0-$500 0.600%
  >$500-$1,000 0.590%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.575%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.555%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.530%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.505%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.490%
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.481%
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.469%
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.459%
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.449%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.433%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.414%
  >$50,000 0.393%
VP – Emerging Markets Fund (c) $0-$500 1.100%
  >$500-$1,000 1.060%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.870%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.820%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.770%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.720%
  >$12,000 0.700%
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund $0-$500 0.650%
  >$500-$1,000 0.645%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.595%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.590%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.575%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.570%
  >$7,500-$12,000 0.560%
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.540%
  >$20,000-$50,000 0.530%
  >$50,000 0.520%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 90

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
VP – Government Money Market Fund $0-$500 0.390%
  >$500-$1,000 0.385%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.363%
  >$1,500-$2,000 0.345%
  >$2,000-$2,500 0.328%
  >$2,500-$3,000 0.310%
  >$3,000-$5,000 0.300%
  >$5,000-$6,000 0.280%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.260%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.255%
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.230%
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.220%
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.210%
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.200%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.190%
  >$24,000 0.180%
VP – High Yield Bond Fund
VP – Income Opportunities Fund
$0-$250 0.660%
>$250-$500 0.645%
  >$500-$750 0.635%
  >$750-$1,000 0.625%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.610%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.600%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.565%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.540%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.525%
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.500%
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.485%
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.475%
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.465%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.440%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.425%
  >$50,000 0.400%
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund $0-$500 0.500%
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund (d) >$500-$1,000 0.495%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.480%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.460%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.450%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.430%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.415%
  >$9,000-$12,000 0.410%
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.390%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.380%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.360%
  >$50,000 0.340%
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund $0-$500 0.770%
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund >$500-$1,000 0.720%
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund (d) >$1,000-$1,500 0.670%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.620%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.600%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.580%
  >$12,000 0.570%
VP – Large Cap Index Fund All 0.200%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 91

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund $0-$500 0.480%
  >$500-$1,000 0.475%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.465%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.460%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.445%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.430%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.415%
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.410%
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.400%
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.390%
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.380%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.370%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.350%
  >$50,000 0.330%
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund $0-$500 0.710%
VP – MFS Value Fund >$500-$1,000 0.705%
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund >$1,000-$2,000 0.650%
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund >$2,000-$3,000 0.550%
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.540%
  >$12,000 0.530%
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund
$0-$500 0.820%
>$500-$1,000 0.770%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.720%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.670%
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.660%
  >$12,000 0.650%
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund $0-$500 0.710%
  >$500-$1,000 0.705%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.650%
  >$1,500-$2,000 0.600%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.550%
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.540%
  >$12,000 0.530%
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (g) $0-$500 0.920%
  >$500-$1,000 0.870%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.820%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.770%
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.760%
  >$12,000 0.750%
VP – Overseas Core Fund $0-$250 0.880%
  >$250-$500 0.855%
  >$500-$750 0.825%
  >$750-$1,000 0.800%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.770%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.720%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.700%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.680%
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.670%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.660%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.650%
  >$50,000 0.620%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 92

 

Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund (e) $0-$500 0.500%
  >$500-$1,000 0.495%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.480%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.460%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.445%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.430%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.415%
  >$9,000-$12,000 0.410%
  >$12,000-$20,000 0.390%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.380%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.360%
  >$50,000 0.340%
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund $0-$500 0.770%
  >$500-$1,000 0.720%
  >$1,000-$1,500 0.670%
  >$1,500-$3,000 0.620%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.600%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.580%
  >$12,000 0.570%
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund $0-$500 0.870%
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund (d) >$500-$1,000 0.820%
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (d) >$1,000-$3,000 0.770%
VP – U.S. Equities Fund >$3,000-$12,000 0.760%
  >$12,000 0.750%
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund (c) $0-$500 0.915%
  >$500-$1,000 0.910%
  >$1,000-$3,000 0.905%
  >$3,000-$4,000 0.865%
  >$4,000-$6,000 0.815%
  >$6,000-$12,000 0.765%
  >$12,000 0.755%
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund $0-$500 0.430%
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (d) >$500-$1,000 0.425%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.415%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.410%
  >$3,000-$6,000 0.395%
  >$6,000-$7,500 0.380%
  >$7,500-$9,000 0.365%
  >$9,000-$10,000 0.360%
  >$10,000-$12,000 0.350%
  >$12,000-$15,000 0.340%
  >$15,000-$20,000 0.330%
  >$20,000-$24,000 0.320%
  >$24,000-$50,000 0.300%
  >$50,000 0.280%
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund $0-$500 0.810%
  >$500-$1,000 0.805%
  >$1,000-$2,000 0.750%
  >$2,000-$3,000 0.700%
  >$3,000-$12,000 0.690%
  >$12,000 0.680%
(a) Effective October 1, 2017, the management fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for all asset levels.
(b) When calculating asset levels for purposes of determining fee breakpoints, asset levels are based on net assets of the Fund, including assets invested in any wholly-owned subsidiary advised by the Investment Manager (“Subsidiaries”). Fees payable by the Fund under this agreement shall be reduced by any management services fees paid to the Investment Manager by any Subsidiaries under separate management agreements with the Subsidiaries.
(c) Effective July 1, 2017, the management fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for all asset levels.
(d) Effective July 1, 2016, the management fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for all asset levels.
(e) Effective May 1, 2017, the management fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for all asset levels.
(f) Effective May 1, 2018, the management fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for all asset levels.
(g) Effective July 1, 2018, the management fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for certain asset levels.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 93

 

VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund and the VP - Portfolio Navigator Funds. The Investment Manager has implemented a schedule for the management services fees for VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund and the VP - Portfolio Navigator Funds, whereby the Fund pays (i) 0.020% management services fee on its net assets that are invested in affiliated underlying funds (including ETFs and closed-end funds) that pay a management services fee (or investment advisory services fee, as applicable) to the Investment Manager; and (ii) a management services fee rate according to the following schedule on securities, instruments and other assets not described in category (i) above, including, without limitation, affiliated mutual funds, ETFs and closed-end funds that do not pay a management services fee to the Investment Manager, third party funds, derivatives and individual securities:
Fund Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level
VP – Aggressive Portfolio
VP – Conservative Portfolio
VP – Moderate Portfolio
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund
$0 - $500 0.720%
>$500 - $1,000 0.670%
>$1,000 - $1,500 0.620%
>$1,500 - $3,000 0.570%
>$3,000 - $6,000 0.550%
>$6,000 - $12,000 0.530%
>$12,000 0.520%
In no event shall the management services fee be negative even if the value of one of the categories is a negative amount. Although the fee for each category is calculated separately and there is no negative management services fee, the Investment Manager currently intends to calculate the management services fee by reducing (but not below $0) any management services fee payable on one category by any negative management services fee in another category. The Investment Manager may change this calculation methodology at any time.
Under the Management Agreement, each Fund also pays taxes, brokerage commissions and nonadvisory expenses, which include custodian fees and charges; fidelity bond premiums; certain legal fees; registration fees for shares; consultants’ fees; compensation of Board members, officers and employees not employed by the Investment Manager or its affiliates; corporate filing fees; organizational expenses; expenses incurred in connection with lending securities; interest and fee expense related to a Fund’s participation in inverse floater structures; and expenses properly payable by a Fund, approved by the Board.
Management Services Fees Paid. The table below shows the total management services fees paid by each Fund, as applicable, under the Management Agreement for the last three fiscal periods (net of management services fee waivers). Amounts shown for the first period that management services fees were paid for each Fund are for the period from the Fund’s Management Agreement Effective Date through the applicable fiscal year end. For more information about fees waived or Fund expenses reimbursed by the Investment Manager, see Expense Limitations .
Management Services Fees
  Management Services Fees
  2018 2017 2016
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – Aggressive Portfolio $1,264,264 $1,247,931 $797,196
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund 17,078,890 19,308,233 13,774,265
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund 20,565,530 22,221,886 13,510,828
VP – Balanced Fund 7,726,212 7,680,720 4,763,188
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund 612,777 667,016 471,647
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund 3,316,890 3,272,698 1,818,751
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund 1,227,339 1,075,583 610,613
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund 2,784,979 3,069,259 1,299,489
VP – Conservative Portfolio 566,496 572,643 345,947
VP – Core Equity Fund 833,010 794,122 512,682
VP – DFA International Value Fund 13,175,262 14,355,711 10,867,274
VP – Disciplined Core Fund 34,505,935 32,503,049 20,045,674
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund 10,928,630 11,633,381 7,705,253
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund 1,291,461 1,045,448 519,406
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 94

 

  Management Services Fees
  2018 2017 2016
VP – Emerging Markets Fund $6,650,856 $8,027,715 $4,979,317
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund 840,798 969,123 760,642
VP – Government Money Market Fund 1,559,441 1,286,289 930,572
VP – High Yield Bond Fund 2,528,890 2,890,348 2,010,315
VP – Income Opportunities Fund 2,285,519 2,447,154 1,778,125
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund 21,886,451 23,459,005 16,638,025
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund 12,978,676 11,991,456 6,988,682
VP – Large Cap Index Fund 1,504,405 1,092,855 451,663
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund 3,756,689 3,999,936 2,913,607
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund 14,270,167 14,158,262 11,431,665
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund 11,755,200 9,163,893 5,285,465
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund 13,965,602 12,970,751 8,108,536
VP – MFS Value Fund 13,720,441 14,462,241 9,437,652
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund 4,079,235 3,729,665 2,215,122
VP – Moderate Portfolio 6,547,026 6,746,570 4,521,377
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio 3,905,274 3,898,290 2,551,985
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio 1,485,499 1,482,918 1,010,729
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund 13,425,182 10,550,546 5,098,123
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund 25,710,531 24,333,980 15,583,924
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund 13,859,903 16,869,111 13,645,900
VP – Overseas Core Fund 9,486,691 8,756,694 5,454,983
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund 15,258,927 16,120,935 11,344,496
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 6,013,848 5,430,595 3,660,608
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund 6,875,779 6,890,852 4,966,551
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund 4,672,522 (a) N/A N/A
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund 9,610,985 8,866,594 4,337,996
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund 2,459,771 2,352,600 1,332,877
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund 848,498 923,607 791,889
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund 787,475 752,900 392,686
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund 15,460,008 15,499,079 9,267,324
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 13,647,839 14,595,542 10,120,409
VP – U.S. Equities Fund 8,855,957 8,970,907 5,828,666
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 4,277,183 4,634,190 3,723,498
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund 4,589,674 4,039,577 2,083,102
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund 4,440,155 4,350,639 3,461,474
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund 4,633,435 3,888,510 2,004,709
(a) For the period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018.
Investment Management Services Agreement
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date indicated in the Services Provided section above, each Fund, except VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, was party to the Investment Management Services Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement with the Investment Manager for advisory and administrative services, respectively. Each Fund party to these agreements paid the Investment Manager an annual fee for advisory services, as set forth in the Investment Management Services Agreement, and a separate fee for administrative services under the Administrative Services Agreement. See
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 95

 

Investment Management and Other Services – The Administrator for information with respect to the Administrative Services Agreement. As of the Management Agreement Effective Date listed for each Fund, these services have been combined under the Management Agreement as described above.
Services Provided Under the Investment Management Services Agreement
Under the Investment Management Services Agreement, the Investment Manager was contracted to furnish each Fund with investment research and advice. For these services, unless otherwise noted, each Fund paid a monthly fee to the Investment Manager based on the daily closing value of the total net assets of a Fund. Under the Investment Management Services Agreement, any liability of the Investment Manager to the Trusts, a Fund and/or its shareholders is limited to situations involving the Investment Manager’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.
Investment Advisory Services Fee
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date, the investment advisory services fee was calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of each Fund and was paid monthly at the annual rates set forth in the Investment Management Services Agreement.
Investment Advisory Services Fees Paid. The table below shows the total investment advisory services fees paid by each Fund under the Investment Management Services Agreement for the last three fiscal periods (net of investment advisory services fee waivers). Amounts shown for the fiscal year ended 2016 are for the period from January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016. For more information about fees waived or Fund expenses reimbursed by the Investment Manager, see Expense Limitations .
Investment Advisory Services Fees
  Investment Advisory Services Fees
Fund 2018 2017 2016
VP - Aggressive Portfolio N/A N/A $111,766
VP - American Century Diversified Bond Fund N/A N/A $5,975,793
VP - AQR International Core Equity Fund N/A N/A $5,840,536
VP - Balanced Fund N/A N/A $1,982,606
VP - BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund N/A N/A $200,475
VP - CenterSquare Real Estate Fund N/A N/A $579,504
VP - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund N/A N/A $781,399
VP - Commodity Strategy Fund N/A N/A $82,518
VP - Conservative Portfolio N/A N/A $65,597
VP - Core Equity Fund N/A N/A $248,118
VP - DFA International Value Fund N/A N/A $5,168,273
VP - Disciplined Core Fund N/A N/A $7,990,251
VP - Dividend Opportunity Fund N/A N/A $3,318,587
VP - Emerging Markets Bond Fund N/A N/A $184,866
VP - Emerging Markets Fund N/A N/A $3,726,672
VP - Global Strategic Income Fund N/A N/A $345,265
VP - Government Money Market Fund N/A N/A $461,169
VP - High Yield Bond Fund N/A N/A $865,790
VP - Income Opportunities Fund N/A N/A $1,122,268
VP - Intermediate Bond Fund N/A N/A $7,072,003
VP - Large Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A $2,964,994
VP - Large Cap Index Fund N/A N/A $100,247
VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund N/A N/A $1,213,701
VP - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund N/A N/A $4,240,686
VP - Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A $2,742,868
VP - MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund N/A N/A $3,904,063
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 96

 

  Investment Advisory Services Fees
Fund 2018 2017 2016
VP - MFS Value Fund N/A N/A $3,882,003
VP - Mid Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A $728,498
VP - Moderate Portfolio N/A N/A $906,615
VP - Moderately Aggressive Portfolio N/A N/A $470,060
VP - Moderately Conservative Portfolio N/A N/A $186,541
VP - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund N/A N/A $2,357,826
VP - MV Moderate Growth Fund N/A N/A $6,057,675
VP - Oppenheimer International Growth Fund N/A N/A $6,000,754
VP - Overseas Core Fund N/A N/A $1,034,793
VP - Partners Core Bond Fund N/A N/A $4,861,434
VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A $1,650,861
VP - Partners Small Cap Value Fund N/A N/A $3,343,746
VP - Select Large Cap Value Fund N/A N/A $1,781,870
VP - Select Mid Cap Value Fund N/A N/A $308,742
VP - Select Small Cap Value Fund N/A N/A $373,692
VP - Seligman Global Technology Fund N/A N/A $338,025
VP - T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund N/A N/A $3,890,437
VP - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund N/A N/A $4,416,081
VP - U.S. Equities Fund N/A N/A $3,193,417
VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund N/A N/A $1,652,659
VP - Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund N/A N/A $565,842
VP - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund N/A N/A $1,867,937
VP - Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A $544,294
Manager of Managers Exemption
The SEC has issued an exemptive order (the Order) that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to hire subadvisers, by entering into subadvisory agreements with them, and to materially change the terms of those subadvisory agreements, including the subadvisory fess paid thereunder, without seeking approval of the Fund’s shareholders and thereby avoiding the expense and delays associated with obtaining such approval. For Funds that began operations (see About the Trust ) prior to September 2017, the Order extends to unaffiliated subadvisers; for newer Funds the Order (if the SEC approves an amendment to the existing Order) extends to unaffiliated subadvisers and subadvisers that are indirect or direct wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Investment Manager or a sister company of the Investment Manager that is an indirect or direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial (Wholly-Owned Subadvisers).
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships .
Subadvisory Agreements
The assets of certain Funds are managed by subadvisers that have been selected by the Investment Manager, subject to the review and approval of the Board. Generally, the Investment Manager recommends a subadviser to the Board based upon its assessment of the skills of the subadvisers in managing other assets in accordance with objectives and investment strategies substantially similar to those of the applicable Fund. Among other responsibilities, the Investment Manager (i) monitors on a daily basis the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives and related policies of the Fund, (ii) assesses changes to the subadvisers' business brought to the Investment Manager’s attention by subadviser or otherwise publicly announced, (iii) performs due diligence reviews of the subadviser, (iv) monitors the performance of each subadviser and (v) regularly provides reports on such performance to the Board. However, short-term investment performance is not the only factor in selecting or terminating a subadviser, and the Investment Manager does not expect to make frequent changes of subadvisers.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 97

 

The Investment Manager allocates the assets of a Fund with multiple subadvisers among the subadvisers. Each subadviser has discretion, subject to oversight by the Board and the Investment Manager, to purchase and sell portfolio assets, consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions. Generally, the services that a subadviser provides to the Fund are limited to asset management and related recordkeeping services.
The Investment Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with each subadviser under which the subadviser provides investment advisory and portfolio management assistance to some or all of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as investment research and statistical information, subject to the oversight by the Investment Manager. A subadviser may also serve as a discretionary or non-discretionary investment adviser to management or advisory accounts that are unrelated in any manner to the Investment Manager or its affiliates. The Investment Manager compensates the subadvisers out of the management services fee it receives from the Fund. This could create an incentive for the Investment Manager to select, or allocate assets to, subadvisers with lower fee rates, select subadvisers that are affiliated with the Investment Manager, or manage assets directly.
Each subadvisory agreement, and any material change thereto, will be approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. Additionally, in relying on the Order (see Manager of Managers Exemption above) when recommending the hiring, termination, and replacement of subadvisers, the Investment Manager will provide the Board with information showing the expected impact of any proposed subadviser hiring or termination on the profitability of the Investment Manager.
With respect to VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, BlackRock has entered into a sub-subadvisory agreement with BlackRock International Limited (BIL), an affiliate of BlackRock. BIL assists in providing day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund pursuant to the sub-subadvisory agreement. BlackRock will pay BIL for its services.
The following table shows the subadvisory fee schedules for fees paid by the Investment Manager to subadvisers for Funds that have subadvisers. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the applicable Fund (or portion thereof subadvised by the applicable subadviser), subject to any exceptions as noted in the table below, and is paid monthly.
Subadvisers
Subadvisory and Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Fee Schedules
Fund Subadviser Parent
Company/Other
Information
Fee Schedule
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund American Century
(effective May 10, 2010)
A 0.160% on the first $500 million, declining to 0.080% as assets increase (a)
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund AQR
(effective on or about May 21, 2018)
V 0.260% on the first $500 million, declining to 0.205% as assets increase
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (g) BlackRock
(effective October 19, 2012)
B 0.150% on the first $250 million, declining to 0.050% as assets increase
Sub-Subadviser : BIL
(effective May 1, 2018)
W 50% of fee paid to BlackRock
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund CenterSquare
(effective June 1, 2016)
U 0.400% on the first $200 million, declining to 0.300% as assets increase
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund Columbia WAM
(effective May 10, 2010)
C 0.700% on the first $150 million, declining to 0.600% as assets increase
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund Threadneedle
(effective April 30, 2013)
E 0.250% on all assets
VP – DFA International Value Fund DFA
(effective November 16, 2011)
D 0.210% on all asset levels
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund Loomis Sayles
(effective March 21, 2014)
O 0.270% on all asset levels
VP – Los Angeles Large Cap Growth Fund Los Angeles Capital
(effective May 1, 2017)
K 0.300% on the first $100 million, declining to 0.130% as assets increase
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund MFS
(effective May 2, 2016)
H 0.200% on the first $500 million, declining to 0.130% as assets increase
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 98

 

Fund Subadviser Parent
Company/Other
Information
Fee Schedule
VP – MFS Value Fund MFS
(effective May 10, 2010)
H 0.350% on the first $100 million, declining to 0.175% as assets increase (a)
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund MSIM
(effective May 2, 2016)
I 0.300% on the first $500 million, declining to 0.225% as assets increase
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund Oppenheimer
(effective May 1, 2016)
P 0.450% on the first $300 million, declining to 0.300% as assets increase
VP – Overseas Core Fund (e) Threadneedle
(effective July 9, 2004)
E 0.350% on all assets
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund JPMIM
(effective May 10, 2010)
F 0.110% on all asset levels (b)
WellsCap
(effective May 1, 2017)
L 0.180% on assets up to $500 million, declining to 0.100% as assets increase
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund BMO
(effective May 1, 2017)
S 0.300% on the first $200 million, declining to 0.200% as assets increase (c)
WellsCap
(effective May 10, 2010)
L 0.480% on all asset levels
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund Jacobs Levy
(effective May 1, 2017)
M 0.450% on the first $200 million, declining to 0.400% as assets increase
Nuveen Asset Management
(effective May 1, 2017)
N 0.450% on all asset levels
SBH
(effective August 20, 2014)
Q 0.550% on the first $50 million, declining to 0.450% as assets increase (f)
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund T. Rowe Price
(effective November 14, 2016)
J 0.475% on the first $50 million, declining to 0.250% on all assets as asset levels increase (h)
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund TCW
(effective March 21, 2014)
R 0.180% on the first $500 million, declining to 0.050% as asset levels increase (c)
VP – U.S. Equities Fund Columbia WAM
(effective May 10, 2010)
C 0.600% on the first $100 million, declining to 0.500% as assets increase
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund Victory Capital
(effective November 16, 2012)
T 0.320% on the first $400 million, declining to 0.300% as assets increase
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund WellsCap
(effective May 10, 2010)
L 0.150% on assets up to $250 million, declining to 0.120% as assets increase (d)
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund Westfield
(effective September 18, 2017)
G 0.400% on assets up to $250 million, declining to 0.300% as asset levels increase
(a) Effective October 1, 2017, the subadvisory fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for certain asset levels.
(b) Effective May 1, 2017, the subadvisory fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for all asset levels.
(c) The fee is calculated based on the combined net assets of certain Columbia Funds subject to the subadviser’s investment management.
(d) Effective May 1, 2017, the subadvisory fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for certain asset levels.
(e) As of May 1, 2018, Threadneedle is no longer providing services to the Fund pursuant to the subadvisory agreement and therefore Threadneedle no longer receives fees paid by the Fund.
(f) Effective April 30, 2018, the subadvisory fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate increase for certain asset levels.
(g) BIL assists in providing day-to-day portfolio management to the Fund pursuant to the sub-subadvisory agreement with BlackRock. BlackRock will pay BIL for its services.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 99

 

(h) Effective November 1, 2018, the subadvisory fee schedule changed resulting in a fee rate decrease for all asset levels.
A – American Century, located at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111, is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of American Century Companies, Inc. (“ACC”). The Stowers Institute for Medical Research (“SIMR”) controls ACC by virtue of its beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of ACC. SIMR is part of a not-for-profit biomedical research organization dedicated to finding the keys to the causes, treatments and prevention of disease.
B – BlackRock, located at 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.
C – Columbia WAM, located at 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial.
D – DFA, located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746, is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.
E – Threadneedle is a direct subsidiary of Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Limited and an affiliate of the Investment Manager, and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. Threadneedle and Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Limited are located at Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Although the Investment Manager and Threadneedle have entered into a subadvisory agreement with respect to VP – Overseas Core Fund, currently Threadneedle is not providing subadvisory services to such Fund and no Fees are paid thereunder.
F – JPMIM, located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
G – Westfield, which is located at 1 Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, is majority owned by Westfield’s employee partners with over 95% ownership of the firm.
H – MFS, located at 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199, is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Financial Services Holdings, Inc., which in turn is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial, Inc. (a diversified financial services company).
I – MSIM, located at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036, is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
J – T. Rowe Price, which is located at 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., each a Maryland corporation. T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. was formed in 2000 as a holding company for the T. Rowe Price-affiliated companies.
K – Los Angeles Capital, located at 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025, is 100% employee owned.
L – WellsCap, located at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Asset Management Holdings, LLC, which is indirectly-owned by Wells Fargo & Company.
M – Jacobs Levy, which is located at 100 Campus Drive, 2 nd Floor West, Florham Park, New Jersey 07932, is an independent firm.
N – Nuveen Asset Management is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Nuveen Asset Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC, the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America.
O – Loomis Sayles is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers, L.P., which is part of Natixis Investment Managers (formerly Natixis Global Asset Management), an international asset management group based in Paris, France, that is in turn owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. It is located at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111.
P – Oppenheimer is located at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York, 10281-1008.
Q – SBH, located at 540 West Madison Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2551, is majority owned by Thoma Bravo, LLC, a private equity firm, with approximately 55% ownership. The remaining approximately 45% is employee-owned. Effective April 30, 2018, SBH acquired all of the assets of Denver Investment Advisors LLC (Denver Investments), which had served as a subadviser to VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund from July 2007 until April 30, 2018.
R – TCW, which is located at 865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The TCW Group, Inc. The Carlyle Group, LP (Carlyle), a global alternative asset manager, may be deemed to be a control person of the Adviser by reason of its control of certain investment funds that indirectly control more than 25% of the voting stock of TCW. Carlyle also controls various other pooled investment vehicles and, indirectly, many of the portfolio companies owned by those funds.
S – BMO, which is located at 115 South LaSalle Street, 11th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60603, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMO Financial Corp., which is in turn a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Montréal, a publicly held Canadian diversified financial services company.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 100

 

T – Victory Capital is located at 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4 th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Victory Capital is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation.
U – CenterSquare, which is located at 630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, is a Delaware limited liability company and is owned principally by CenterSquare employees and a private equity fund sponsored and managed by Lovell Minnick Partners, LLC.
V – AQR is a Delaware limited liability company formed in 1998 and is located at Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. AQR is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AQR Capital Management Holdings, LLC (AQR Holdings), which has no activities other than holding the interest of AQR. Clifford S. Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A. may be deemed to control AQR through his voting control of the Board of Members of AQR Holdings. Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., a publicly traded holding company, holds a minority interest in AQR Holdings.
W – BIL, located at Exchange Place One, 1 Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL, Scotland, is a subsidiary of BlackRock Group Ltd.
The following table shows the subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to subadvisers in the last three fiscal periods or, if shorter, since the Fund’s commencement of operations.
    Subadvisory Fees Paid
Fund Subadviser 2018 2017 2016
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund American Century $4,123,735 $5,959,503 $6,854,565
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund AQR 3,362,613 (a) N/A N/A
Former subadviser:
Pyramis
(5/10/2010 – 5/21/2018)
3,263,365 8,406,060 7,424,096
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund BlackRock 179,146 196,633 207,575
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund CenterSquare 1,519,080 1,513,253 792,165 (b)
Former subadviser:
MSIM
(5/10/2010 – 5/31/2016)
N/A N/A 432,131
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund Columbia WAM 853,242 734,650 973,786
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund Threadneedle 1,102,233 1,223,267 559,198
VP – DFA International Value Fund DFA 3,382,486 3,758,398 4,203,020
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund Loomis Sayles 5,705,064 5,715,029 6,631,938
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund Former subadviser:
Winslow Capital
(11/17/2010 – 4/30/2017)
N/A 983,709 3,395,123
Los Angeles Capital 2,797,826 1,650,571 (c) N/A
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund Former subadviser:
Sit Investment
(11/16/2012 – 4/30/2016)
N/A N/A 1,261,165
MFS 3,241,513 3,036,544 1,878,364 (d)
VP – MFS Value Fund MFS 5,337,619 6,002,029 5,754,601
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund Former subadviser:
Holland
(3/25/2013 – 4/30/2016)
N/A N/A 829,081
MSIM 5,146,660 4,101,842 1,971,279 (d)
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund Former subadviser:
Invesco
(5/10/2010 – 4/30/2016)
N/A N/A 1,973,646
Oppenheimer 5,189,706 6,203,552 4,991,057 (e)
VP – Overseas Core Fund (f) Threadneedle 1,356,650 3,679,139 2,738,585
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund JPMIM 1,819,897 2,991,584 5,120,408
WellsCap 1,679,075 1,132,312 (c) N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 101

 

    Subadvisory Fees Paid
Fund Subadviser 2018 2017 2016
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund BMO $579,094 $343,531 (c) N/A
Former subadviser:
Kennedy
(11/14/2016 – 12/10/2018)
970,282 899,810 $118,085 (g)
Former subadviser:
Palisade
(11/16/2002 – 11/14/2016)
N/A N/A 696,942
Former subadviser:
The London Company
(5/10/2010 – 4/30/2017)
N/A 300,248 911,888
WellsCap 1,250,339 1,183,776 1,048,209
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund Former subadviser:
Barrow Hanley
(3/12/2004 – 4/30/2017)
N/A 308,016 945,738
Former subadviser:
Denver Investments
(7/16/2007 – 4/30/2018)
295,282 1,011,723 983,103
Former subadviser:
Donald Smith
(3/12/2004 – 6/21/2016)
N/A N/A 392,808
Former subadviser:
River Road
(4/24/2006 – 4/30/2017)
N/A 251,792 800,802
Former subadviser:
Snow Capital
(8/20/2014 to 4/30/2017)
N/A 220,232 730,499
Jacobs Levy 911,385 608,489 (c) N/A
Nuveen Asset Management 883,859 604,902 (c) N/A
SBH 1,607,899 983,497 904,013
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund Former subadviser:
NFJ
(5/10/2010 – 11/14/2016)
N/A N/A 4,648,289
T. Rowe Price 6,307,215 6,489,285 781,807 (g)
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund TCW 2,126,863 2,384,739 2,462,294
VP – U.S. Equities Fund Columbia WAM 1,302,683 1,253,334 1,285,858
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund Victory Capital 1,898,484 1,679,794 1,088,217
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund WellsCap 1,245,853 1,323,244 1,685,179
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund Former subadviser:
Jennison
(5/10/2010 – 9/18/2017)
N/A 1,103,517 1,125,280
Westfield 2,008,389 534,182 (h) N/A
(a) For the period from May 21, 2018 to December 31, 2018.
(b) For the period from June 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
(c) For the period from May 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
(d) For the period from May 2, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
(e) For the period from May 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
(f) As of May 1, 2018, Threadneedle is no longer providing services to the Fund pursuant to the subadvisory agreement and therefore Threadneedle no longer receives fees paid by the Fund.
(g) For the period from November 14, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
(h) For the period from September 18, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 102

 

Portfolio Managers. The following table provides information about the portfolio managers of each Fund (other than VP – Government Money Market Fund). The references in the Potential Conflicts of Interest and the Structure of Compensation columns in the table below refer, respectively, to the descriptions in the Potential Conflicts of Interest and Structure of Compensation subsections immediately following the table. All shares of the Funds are made available only through Qualified Plans or products offered by life insurance companies, and as of December 31, 2018, no portfolio manager had an interest in shares of the Funds.
    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
Information is as of December 31, 2018, unless otherwise noted
VP – Aggressive Portfolio Joshua Kutin 43 RICs
7 PIVs
24 other accounts
$60.94 billion
$11.29 million
$0.98 million
None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
David Weiss 19 RICs
10 other accounts
$56.45 billion
$1.42 million
None
Anwiti Bahuguna 28 RICs
19 PIVs
33 other accounts
$63.10 billion
$2.18 billion
$100.41 million
None
Brian Virginia 14 RICs
9 other accounts
$56.64 billion
$2.59 million
None
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund American Century:
Alejandro Aguilar

16 RICs
3 PIVs
1 other account

$16.49 billion
$1.56 billion
$315.38 million

None

American
Century

American
Century
Robert Gahagan 19 RICs
4 PIVs
2 other account
$16.78 billion
$1.70 billion
$604.49 million
None
Jeffrey Houston 9 RICs
2 PIVs
$9.62 billion
$1.35 billion
None
Brian Howell 20 RICs
6 PIVs
7 other accounts
$16.97 billion
$1.88 billion
$1.48 billion
None
Charles Tan 6 RICs
1 PIV
$8.21 billion
$968.47 million
None
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund AQR:
Michele Aghassi

19 RICs
19 PIVs
14 other accounts

$11.16 billion
$10.29 billion
$4.42 billion

16 PIVs
($7.92 B)
4 other accounts ($1.51 B)

AQR

AQR
Andrea Frazzini 36 RICs
29 PIVs
35 other accounts
$19.85 billion
$16.35 billion
$17.41 billion
26 PIVs
($13.98 B)
9 other accounts ($1.97 B)
Jacques Friedman 45 RICs
43 PIVs
107 other accounts
$26.73 billion
$20.71 billion
$53.37 billion
38 PIVs
($18.24 B)
34 other accounts ($15.61 B)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 103

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – Balanced Fund Gregory Liechty 3 RICs
13 PIVs
43 other accounts
$4.51 billion
$1.95 billion
$4.31 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Guy Pope 9 RICs
8 PIVs
137 other accounts
$14.96 billion
$1.46 billion
$2.99 billion
None
Ronald Stahl 3 RICs
13 PIVs
43 other accounts
$4.51 billion
$1.95 billion
$4.38 billion
None
Jason Callan 12 RICs
4 PIVs
4 other accounts
$17.21 billion
$172.97 million
$1.35 million
None
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund BlackRock:
Akiva Dickstein

12 RICs
18 PIVs
111 other accounts

$14.02 billion
$5.12 billion
$62.17 billion

4 other accounts ($2.11 B)

BlackRock

BlackRock
Sub-Subadviser: BIL:
Christopher Allen
6 RICs
13 PIVs
23 other accounts
$6.16 billion
$17.29 billion
$13.56 billion
1 other account ($561.90 M)
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund CenterSquare:
Dean Frankel

6 RICs
7 PIVs
56 other accounts

$1.56 billion
$572.00 million
$6.08 billion

7 other accounts
($847.00 M)

CenterSquare

CenterSquare
Eric Rothman 5 RICs
3 PIVs
48 other accounts
$968.00 million
$109.00 million
$4.42 billion
None
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund Columbia WAM:
Louis Mendes

2 RICs
1 PIV
10 other accounts

$2.96 billion
$15.69 million
$316.61 million

None

Columbia WAM

Columbia WAM
Tae Han (Simon) Kim 2 RICs
6 other accounts
$2.96 billion
$303.21 million
None
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund Threadneedle:
David Donora

1 RIC
1 PIV
1 other account

$354.96 million
$429.41 million
$21.14 million

1 RIC ($354.96 M)

Threadneedle

Threadneedle
Nicolas Robin 1 RIC
1 PIV
1 other account
$354.96 million
$429.41 million
$21.14 million
1 RIC ($354.96 M)
VP – Conservative Portfolio Joshua Kutin 43 RICs
7 PIVs
24 other accounts
$62.30 billion
$11.29 million
$0.98 million
None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
David Weiss 19 RICs
10 other accounts
$57.81 billion
$1.42 million
None
Anwiti Bahuguna 28 RICs
19 PIVs
33 other accounts
$64.47 billion
$2.18 billion
$100.41 million
None
Brian Virginia 14 RICs
9 other accounts
$58.00 billion
$2.59 million
None
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 104

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – Core Equity Fund Brian Condon 22 RICs
2 PIVs
66 other accounts
$12.56 billion
$94.13 million
$6.74 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Peter Albanese 16 RICs
2 PIVs
64 other accounts
$12.51 billion
$94.13 million
$6.73 billion
None
VP – DFA International Value Fund DFA:
Jed Fogdall
110 RICs
24 PIVs
82 other accounts
$351.56 billion
$15.37 billion
$25.94 billion
1 PIV
($151.10 M)
6 other accounts
($3.28 B)

DFA

DFA
Bhanu Singh 47 RICs
1 PIV
1 other account
$166.52 billion
$40.80 million
$467.80 million
 
Mary Philips 63 RICs
2 PIVs
3 other accounts
$178.65 billion
$1.83 billion
$918.20 million
None
VP – Disciplined Core Fund Brian Condon 22 RICs
2 PIVs
66 other accounts
$7.91 billion
$94.13 million
$6.74 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Peter Albanese 16 RICs
2 PIVs
64 other accounts
$7.86 billion
$94.13 million
$6.73 billion
None
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund David King 5 RICs
7 other accounts
$5.72 billion
$24.17 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Yan Jin 5 RICs
10 other accounts
$5.72 billion
$4.39 million
None
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund Tim Jagger (b) 1 RIC $115.11 million None Threadneedle Threadneedle
Christopher Cooke 2 RICs
4 PIVs
1 other account
$416.14 million
$514.82 million
$210.63 million
None
VP – Emerging Markets Fund Dara White 2 RICs
2 PIVs
9 other accounts
$1.19 billion
$559.03 million
$989.18 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Robert Cameron 2 RICs
2 PIVs
12 other accounts
$1.19 billion
$556.52 million
$987.89 million
None
Young Kim 2 RICs
2 PIVs
9 other accounts
$1.19 billion
$559.03 million
$985.72 million
None
Jasmine Huang (c) 4 RICs
2 PIVs
13 other accounts
$1.45 billion
$559.03 million
$985.92 million
None
Perry Vickery 2 RICs
2 PIVs
12 other accounts
$1.19 billion
$559.03 million
$987.20 million
None
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund Gene Tannuzzo 8 RICs
1 PIV
57 other accounts
$12.41 billion
$66.46 million
$1.20 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Ryan Staszewski 9 PIVs
9 other accounts
$3.92 billion
$2.67 billion
None Threadneedle Threadneedle
Tim Jagger None None None
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 105

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – High Yield Bond Fund Brian Lavin 8 RICs
12 other accounts
$3.10 billion
$1.44 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Daniel DeYoung (a) 3 other accounts $0.28 million None
VP – Income Opportunities Fund Brian Lavin 8 RICs
12 other accounts
$3.12 billion
$1.44 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Daniel DeYoung (a) 3 other accounts $0.28 million None
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund Gene Tannuzzo 8 RICs
1 PIV
57 other accounts
$8.04 billion
$66.46 million
$1.20 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Jason Callan 12 RICs
4 PIVs
4 other accounts
$13.74 billion
$172.97 million
$1.35 million
None
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund John Wilson 2 RICs
11 other accounts
$4.49 billion
$288.23 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Tchintcia Barros 2 RICs
7 other accounts
$4.49 billion
$272.63 million
None
VP – Large Cap Index Fund Christopher Lo 13 RICs
1 PIV
38 other accounts
$11.14 billion
$213.89 million
$221.59 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Vadim Shteyn 3 RICs
1 PIV
401 other accounts
$10.62 billion
$213.89 million
$371.73 million
None
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund Tom Murphy 12 RICs
22 PIVs
26 other accounts
$3.24 billion
$16.97 billion
$4.56 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Tim Doubek 11 RICs
25 other accounts
$3.19 billion
$4.28 billion
None
Royce Wilson 1 RIC
4 other accounts
$553.44 million
$0.47 million
None
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund Loomis Sayles:
Aziz Hamzaogullari

20 RICs
15 PIVs
130 other accounts

$18.79 billion
$5.50 billion
$18.50 billion

1 PIV
($671.68 M)

Loomis Sayles

Loomis Sayles
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 106

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – Los Angeles Large Cap Growth Fund Los Angeles Capital:
Thomas Stevens

13 RICs
13 PIVs
39 other accounts

$5.26 billion
$6.20 billion
$12.47 billion

1 RIC
($3.16 B)
4 PIVs
($3.50 B)
5 other accounts
($6.45 B)

Los Angeles Capital

Los Angeles Capital
Hal Reynolds 13 RICs
13 PIVs
39 other accounts
$5.26 billion
$6.20 billion
$12.47 billion
1 RIC
($3.16 B)
4 PIVs
($3.50 B)
5 other accounts
($6.45 B)
Daniel Allen 9 RICs
13 PIVs
39 other accounts
$1.52 billion
$6.20 billion
$12.47 billion
4 PIVs
($3.50 B)
5 other accounts
($6.45 B)
Daniel Arche 1 RIC
4 PIVs
11 other accounts
$417.20 million
$3.81 billion
$1.83 billion
2 PIVs
($2.90 B)
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund MFS:
Matt Krummell

21 RICs
19 PIVs
33 other accounts

$7.02 billion
$2.05 billion
$3.61 billion

None

MFS

MFS
Jim Fallon 19 RICs
19 PIVs
43 other accounts
$6.96 billion
$2.05 billion
$5.43 billion
None
Jonathan Sage 27 RICs
21 PIVs
43 other accounts
$23.25 billion
$4.60 billion
$13.70 billion
None
Jed Stocks 19 RICs
19 PIVs
32 other accounts
$6.96 billion
$2.05 billion
$3.61 billion
None
VP – MFS Value Fund MFS:
Nevin Chitkara

17 RICs
8 PIVs
42 other accounts

$65.23 billion
$6.19 billion
$21.88 billion

None

MFS

MFS
Steve Gorham 16 RICs
8 PIVs
42 other accounts
$65.19 billion
$6.19 billion
$21.88 billion
None
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund Matthew Litfin 5 RICs
9 other accounts
$6.34 billion
$19.30 million

None

Columbia WAM

Columbia WAM
Erika Maschmeyer 1 RIC
6 other accounts
$1.48 billion
$14.23 million
None
John Emerson 1 RIC
6 other accounts
$1.48 billion
$14.67 million
None
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 107

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – Moderate Portfolio Joshua Kutin 43 RICs
7 PIVs
24 other accounts
$46.98 billion
$11.29 million
$0.98 million
None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
David Weiss 19 RICs
10 other accounts
$42.48 billion
$1.42 million
None
Anwiti Bahuguna 28 RICs
19 PIVs
33 other accounts
$49.14 billion
$2.18 billion
$100.41 million
None
Brian Virginia 14 RICs
9 other accounts
$42.67 billion
$2.59 million
None
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio Joshua Kutin 43 RICs
7 PIVs
24 other accounts
$55.68 billion
$11.29 million
$0.98 million
None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
David Weiss 19 RICs
10 other accounts
$51.18 billion
$1.42 million
None
Anwiti Bahuguna 28 RICs
19 PIVs
33 other accounts
$57.84 billion
$2.18 billion
$100.41 million
None
Brian Virginia 14 RICs
9 other accounts
$51.37 billion
$2.59 million
None
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio Joshua Kutin 43 RICs
7 PIVs
24 other accounts
$60.43 billion
$11.29 million
$0.98 million
None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
David Weiss 19 RICs
10 other accounts
$55.94 billion
$1.42 million
None
Anwiti Bahuguna 28 RICs
19 PIVs
33 other accounts
$62.59 billion
$2.18 billion
$100.41 million
None
Brian Virginia 14 RICs
9 other accounts
$56.13 billion
$2.59 million
None
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund MSIM:
Dennis Lynch

15 RICs
17 PIVs
14 other accounts

$11.00 billion
$11.83 billion
$2.51 billion

2 other accounts ($763.40 M)

MSIM

MSIM
Sam Chainani 14 RICs
16 PIVs
13 other accounts
$10.99 billion
$11.82 billion
$2.42 billion
2 other accounts ($763.40 M)
Jason Yeung 14 RICs
16 PIVs
13 other accounts
$10.99 billion
$11.82 billion
$2.42 billion
2 other accounts ($763.40 M)
Armistead Nash 14 RICs
16 PIVs
13 other accounts
$10.99 billion
$11.82 billion
$2.42 billion
2 other accounts ($763.40 M)
David Cohen 14 RICs
16 PIVs
13 other accounts
$10.99 billion
$11.82 billion
$2.42 billion
2 other accounts ($763.40 M)
Alexander Norton 14 RICs
16 PIVs
13 other accounts
$10.99 billion
$11.82 billion
$2.42 billion
2 other accounts ($763.40 M)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 108

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund Joshua Kutin 43 RICs
7 PIVs
24 other accounts
$49.57 billion
$11.29 million
$0.98 million
None Columbia Management
- FoF
Columbia Management
Anwiti Bahuguna 28 RICs
19 PIVs
33 other accounts
$51.73 billion
$2.18 billion
$100.41 million
None
David Weiss 19 RICs
10 other accounts
$45.07 billion
$1.42 million
None
Brian Virginia 14 RICs
9 other accounts
$45.26 billion
$2.59 million
None
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund Oppenheimer:
George Evans

5 RICs
2 PIVs
4 other accounts

$24.11 billion
$515.11 million
$27.38 billion

None

Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer
Robert Dunphy 5 RICs
2 PIVs
3 other account
$19.88 billion
$515.11 million
$593.94 million
None
VP – Overseas Core Fund Fred Copper 5 RICs
1 PIV
6 other accounts
$2.62 billion
$68.44 million
$106.70 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Daisuke Nomoto 4 RICs
2 PIVs
3 other accounts
$2.03 billion
$917.72 million
$2.51 million
None
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund JPMIM:
Barbara Miller

12 RICs
2 PIVs

$41.48 billion
$10.88 billion

None

JPMIM

JPMIM
Richard Figuly 19 RICs
16 PIVs
16 other accounts
$60.47 billion
$7.88 billion
$7.29 billion
1 other account
($1.00 B)
Justin Rucker (a) 3 RICs
4 PIVs
29 other accounts
$4.37 billion
$763.00 million
$9.32 billion
None
WellsCap:
Thomas O’Connor

8 RICs
4 PIVs
36 other accounts

$16.47 billion
$2.64 billion
$12.13 billion

1 PIV
($46.50 M)
2 other accounts
($772.00 M)

WellsCap

WellsCap
Maulik Bhansali 8 RICs
4 PIVs
36 other accounts
$16.47 billion
$2.64 billion
$12.13 billion
1 PIV
($46.50 M)
2 other accounts
($772.00 M)
Jarad Vasquez 8 RICs
4 PIVs
36 other accounts
$16.47 billion
$2.64 billion
$12.13 billion
1 PIV
($46.50 M)
2 other accounts
($772.00 M)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 109

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund BMO:
David Corris

9 RICs
9 PIVs
145 other accounts

$1.31 billion
$4.47 billion
$6.34 billion

None

BMO

BMO
Thomas Lettenberger 5 RICs
3 PIVs
42 other accounts
$450.60 million
$253.70 million
$635.53 million
None
WellsCap:
Thomas Ognar

7 RICs
4 PIVs
46 other accounts

$7.90 billion
$937.90 million
$1.28 billion

2 other accounts
($267.40 M)

WellsCap

WellsCap
Joseph Eberhardy 7 RICs
4 PIVs
46 other accounts
$7.90 billion
$937.90 million
$1.28 billion
2 other accounts
($267.40 M)
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund Jacobs Levy:
Bruce Jacobs

10 RICs
17 PIVs
94 other accounts

$1.29 billion
$1.64 billion
$4.51 billion

6 other accounts ($1.14 B)

Jacobs Levy

Jacobs Levy
Kenneth Levy 10 RICs
17 PIVs
94 other accounts
$1.29 billion
$1.64 billion
$4.51 billion
6 other accounts ($1.14 B)
Nuveen Asset Management:
Karen Bowie


1 RIC


$155.00 million
   
None

Nuveen Asset Management

Nuveen Asset Management
SBH:
Mark Dickherber

2 RICs
1 PIV
68 other accounts

$125.20 million
$27.60 million
$654.40 million

None

SBH

SBH
Shaun Nicholson 2 RICs
1 PIV
68 other accounts
$125.20 million
$27.60 million
$654.40 million
None
Derek Anguilm 6 RICs
19 other accounts
$239.80 million
$343.40 million
4 other accounts
($317.20 M)
Mark Adelmann 6 RICs
19 other accounts
$239.80 million
$343.40 million
4 other accounts
($317.20 M)
Lisa Ramirez 6 RICs
19 other accounts
$239.80 million
$343.40 million
4 other accounts
($317.20 M)
Alex Ruehle 6 RICs
19 other accounts
$239.80 million
$343.40 million
4 other accounts
($317.20 M)
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund Peter Santoro 5 RICs
1 PIV
58 other accounts
$13.01 billion
$23.74 million
$1.85 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Melda Mergen 4 RICs
14 other accounts
$2.04 billion
$477.55 million
None
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund Richard Rosen 2 RICs
1 PIV
505 other accounts
$1.29 billion
$0.01 million
$2.26 billion
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Richard Taft 2 RICs
1 PIV
505 other accounts
$1.29 billion
$0.01 million
$2.25 billion
None
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 110

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund Kari Montanus 3 RICs
23 other accounts
$1.95 billion
$31.23 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
David Hoffman 5 RICs
25 other accounts
$2.73 billion
$34.36 million
None
Jonas Patrikson 3 RICs
25 other accounts
$1.95 billion
$31.11 million
None
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund Kari Montanus 3 RICs
23 other accounts
$2.13 billion
$31.23 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
David Hoffman 5 RICs
25 other accounts
$2.91 billion
$34.36 million
None
Jonas Patrikson 3 RICs
25 other accounts
$2.13 billion
$31.11 million
None
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund Paul Wick 4 RICs
4 PIVs
6 other accounts
$6.26 billion
$840.53 million
$351.77 million
2 PIVs
($583.96 M)
Columbia Management Columbia Management
– Tech Team
Shekhar Pramanick 4 RICs
5 other accounts
$6.26 billion
$5.58 million
None
Sanjay Devgan 3 RICs
4 other accounts
$5.99 billion
$1.13 million
None
Jeetil Patel 4 RICs
6 other accounts
$6.26 billion
$3.41 million
None
Christopher Boova 4 RICs
6 other accounts
$6.26 billion
$5.87 million
None
Vimal Patel 4 RICs
7 other accounts
$6.26 billion
$3.02 million
None
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund T. Rowe Price:
Heather McPherson

5 RICs
8 PIVs
23 other accounts

$8.57 billion
$1.90 billion
$4.15 billion

None

T. Rowe Price

T. Rowe Price
Mark Finn 9 RICs
12 PIVs
27 other accounts
$34.98 billion
$16.71 billion
$5.21 billion
None
John Linehan 16 RICs
13 PIVs
30 other accounts
$34.04 billion
$11.30 billion
$5.63 billion
None
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund TCW:
Tad Rivelle

33 RICs
53 PIVs
223 other accounts

$99.96 billion
$15.16 billion
$41.36 billion

27 PIVs
($2.90 B)
7 other accounts
($3.99 B)

TCW

TCW
Laird Landmann 29 RICs
21 PIVs
202 other accounts
$93.37 billion
$8.60 billion
$34.55 billion
3 PIVs
($398.64 M)
6 other accounts
($3.82 B)
Stephen Kane 33 RICs
31 PIVs
206 other accounts
$93.47 billion
$12.01 billion
$35.19 billion
7 PIVs
($1.96 B)
6 other accounts
($3.82 B)
Bryan Whalen 32 RICs
44 PIVs
221 other accounts
$100.00 billion
$11.80 billion
$40.85 billion
23 PIVs
($1.34 B)
7 other accounts
($3.99 B)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 111

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – U.S. Equities Fund Columbia
Management
Peter Albanese


16 RICs
2 PIVs
64 other accounts


$12.21 billion
$94.13 million
$6.73 billion


None


Columbia Management


Columbia Management
Brian Condon 22 RICs
2 PIVs
66 other accounts
$12.57 billion
$94.13 million
$6.74 billion
None
Jarl Ginsberg 4 RICs
72 other accounts
$2.31 billion
$57.27 million
None
Christian Stadlinger 4 RICs
65 other accounts
$2.31 billion
$61.37 million
None
David Hoffman 5 RICs
25 other accounts
$2.82 billion
$34.36 million
None
Columbia WAM:
Richard Watson

2 RICs
1 PIV
2 other accounts

$857.83 million
$15.69 million
$0.85 million
None
Columbia WAM

Columbia WAM
Matthew Litfin 5 RICs
7 other accounts
$6.58 billion
$19.65 million
None
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund Jason Callan 12 RICs
4 PIVs
4 other accounts
$17.25 billion
$172.97 million
$1.35 million
None Columbia Management Columbia Management
Tom Heuer 3 RICs
5 other accounts
$2.80 billion
$2.41 million
None
Ryan Osborn (a) 6 other accounts $1.41 million None
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund Victory Capital:
Gary Miller

5 RICs
4 PIVs
17 other accounts

$16.04 billion
$500.24 million
$858.72 million

None

Victory Capital

Victory Capital
Gregory Conners 5 RICs
4 PIVs
17 other accounts
$16.04 billion
$500.24 million
$858.72 million
None
Jeffrey Graff 5 RICs
4 PIVs
17 other accounts
$16.04 billion
$500.24 million
$858.72 million
None
James Albers 5 RICs
4 PIVs
17 other accounts
$16.04 billion
$500.24 million
$858.72 million
None
Michael Rodarte 5 RICs
4 PIVs
17 other accounts
$16.04 billion
$500.24 million
$858.72 million
None
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 112

 

    Other Accounts Managed (excluding the Fund)    
Fund Portfolio Manager Number and type
of account*
Approximate
Total Net Assets
Performance
Based
Accounts**
Potential
Conflicts
of Interest
Structure of
Compensation
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund WellsCap:
Thomas O’Connor

8 RICs
4 PIVs
36 other accounts

$16.25 billion
$2.64 billion
$12.13 billion

1 PIV
($46.50 M)
2 other accounts
($772.00 M)

WellsCap

WellsCap
Maulik Bhansali 8 RICs
4 PIVs
36 other accounts
$16.25 billion
$2.64 billion
$12.13 billion
1 PIV
($46.50 M)
2 other accounts
($772.00 M)
Jarad Vasquez 8 RICs
4 PIVs
36 other accounts
$16.25 billion
$2.64 billion
$12.13 billion
1 PIV
($46.50 M)
2 other accounts
($772.00 M)
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund Westfield:
William Muggia

9 RICs
8 PIVs
322 other accounts

$2.39 billion
$910.00 million
$8.05 billion

1 PIV
($20.00 M)
25 other accounts
($1.89 B)

Westfield

Westfield
Richard Lee 8 RICs
4 PIVs
281 other accounts
$2.28 billion
$867.00 million
$7.81 billion
24 other accounts
($1.71 B)
Ethan Meyers 8 RICs
4 PIVs
281 other accounts
$2.28 billion
$867.00 million
$7.81 billion
24 other accounts
($1.71 B)
* RIC refers to a Registered Investment Company; PIV refers to a Pooled Investment Vehicle.
** Number of accounts for which the advisory fee paid is based in part or wholly on performance and the aggregate net assets in those accounts.
(a) The portfolio manager began managing the Fund after its last fiscal year end.
(b) The portfolio manager began managing the Fund after its last fiscal year end; reporting information is provided as of January 31, 2019.
(c) Jasmine Huang is on a medical leave of absence and a timetable for her return is not set. Dara White, Robert Cameron, Young Kim and Perry Vickery will continue to serve as portfolio managers for the Fund.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
American Century: Certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple portfolios. Potential conflicts include, for example, conflicts among investment strategies, such as one portfolio buying or selling a security while another portfolio has a differing, potentially opposite position in such security. This may include one portfolio taking a short position in the security of an issuer that is held long in another portfolio (or vice versa). Other potential conflicts may arise with respect to the allocation of investment opportunities, which are discussed in more detail below. American Century has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to minimize the effects of these conflicts.
Responsibility for managing American Century client portfolios is organized according to investment discipline. Investment disciplines include, for example, disciplined equity, global growth equity, global value equity, global fixed income, and multi-asset strategies. Within each discipline are one or more portfolio teams responsible for managing specific client portfolios. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed by the same team using the same objective, approach, and philosophy. Accordingly, portfolio holdings, position sizes, and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest. In addition, American Century Investments maintains an ethical wall around each of its equity disciplines (global growth equity, global value equity and disciplined equity), meaning that access to information regarding any portfolio’s transactional activities is only available to team members of the investment discipline that manages such portfolio. The ethical wall is intended to aid in preventing the misuse of portfolio holdings information and trading activity in the other disciplines.
For each investment strategy, one portfolio is generally designated as the “policy portfolio.” Other portfolios with similar investment objectives, guidelines and restrictions are referred to as “tracking portfolios.” When managing policy and tracking portfolios, a portfolio team typically purchases and sells securities across all portfolios that the team manages. American Century’s trading systems include various order entry programs that assist in the management of multiple
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 113

 

portfolios, such as the ability to purchase or sell the same relative amount of one security across several funds. In some cases a tracking portfolio may have additional restrictions or limitations that cause it to be managed separately from the policy portfolio. Portfolio managers make purchase and sale decisions for such portfolios alongside the policy portfolio to the extent the overlap is appropriate, and separately, if the overlap is not. American Century may aggregate orders to purchase or sell the same security for multiple portfolios when it believes such aggregation is consistent with its duty to seek best execution on behalf of its clients. Orders of certain client portfolios may, by investment restriction or otherwise, be determined not available for aggregation. American Century has adopted policies and procedures to minimize the risk that a client portfolio could be systematically advantaged or disadvantaged in connection with the aggregation of orders. To the extent equity trades are aggregated, shares purchased or sold are generally allocated to the participating portfolios pro rata based on order size. Because initial public offerings (IPOs) are usually available in limited supply and in amounts too small to permit across-the-board pro rata allocations, American Century has adopted special procedures designed to promote a fair and equitable allocation of IPO securities among clients over time. Fixed income securities transactions are not executed through a centralized trading desk. Instead, fund teams are responsible for executing trades with broker/dealers in a predominantly dealer marketplace. Trade allocation decisions are made by the portfolio manager at the time of trade execution and orders entered on the fixed income order management system.
Finally, investment of American Century’s corporate assets in proprietary accounts may raise additional conflicts of interest. To mitigate these potential conflicts of interest, American Century has adopted policies and procedures intended to provide that trading in proprietary accounts is performed in a manner that does not give improper advantage to American Century to the detriment of client portfolios.
  AQR: Each of the portfolio managers is also responsible for managing other accounts in addition to the Fund, including other accounts of AQR, or its affiliates. Other accounts may include, without limitation, separately managed accounts for foundations, endowments, pension plans, and high net-worth families; registered investment companies; unregistered investment companies relying on either Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (such companies are commonly referred to as “hedge funds”); foreign investment companies; and may also include accounts or investments managed or made by the portfolio managers in a personal or other capacity (“Proprietary Accounts”). Management of other accounts in addition to the Fund can present certain conflicts of interest, as described below. From time to time, potential conflicts of interest may arise between a portfolio manager’s management of the investments of the Fund, on the one hand, and the management of other accounts, on the other. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Fund, or otherwise hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Fund. Because of their positions with the Fund, the portfolio managers know the size, timing and possible market impact of the Fund's trades. A potential conflict of interest exists where portfolio managers could use this information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of the Fund.
  A number of potential conflicts of interest may arise as a result of AQR’s or the portfolio manager’s management of a number of accounts (including Proprietary Accounts) with similar investment strategies. Often, an investment opportunity may be suitable for both the Fund and other accounts, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Fund and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by the Fund and another account. In addition, different account guidelines and/or differences within particular investment strategies may lead to the use of different investment practices for portfolios with a similar investment strategy. AQR will not necessarily purchase or sell the same instruments at the same time or in the same direction (particularly if different accounts have different strategies), or in the same proportionate amounts for all eligible accounts (particularly if different accounts have materially different amounts of capital under management, different amounts of investable cash available, different investment restrictions, or different risk tolerances). As a result, although AQR manages numerous accounts and/or portfolios with similar or identical investment objectives, or may manage accounts with different objectives that trade in the same instruments, the portfolio decisions relating to these accounts, and the performance resulting from such decisions, may differ from account to account. AQR may, from time to time, implement new trading strategies or participate in new trading strategies for some but not all accounts, including the Fund. Strategies may not be implemented in the same manner among accounts where they are employed, even if the strategy is consistent with the objectives of such accounts.
  Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell investments by the Fund and one or more other accounts (including Proprietary Accounts) simultaneously, AQR or the portfolio manager may aggregate the purchases and sales of the investments and will allocate the transactions in a manner that it believes to be equitable under the circumstances. To this end, AQR has adopted policies and procedures that are intended to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated equitably among accounts over time. As a result of the allocations, there may be instances where the Fund will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts or the Fund may not be allocated the full amount of the investments sought to be traded. These aggregation and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the investments available to the Fund from time to time. Subject to applicable laws and/or account restrictions, AQR may buy, sell or hold securities for other accounts while entering into a different or opposite investment decision for the Fund.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 114

 

  AQR and the Fund's portfolio managers may also face a conflict of interest where some accounts pay higher fees to AQR than others, as they may have an incentive to favor accounts with the potential for greater fees. For instance, the entitlement to a performance fee in managing one or more accounts may create an incentive for AQR to take risks in managing assets that it would not otherwise take in the absence of such arrangements. Additionally, since performance fees reward AQR for performance in accounts which are subject to such fees, AQR may have an incentive to favor these accounts over those that have only fixed asset-based fees, such as the Fund, with respect to areas such as trading opportunities, trade allocation, and allocation of new investment opportunities.
  AQR has implemented specific policies and procedures (e.g., a code of ethics and trade allocation policies) that seek to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the management of the Fund and other accounts and that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated fairly and equitably over time.
  BlackRock: BlackRock has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Fund, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Fund. In addition, BlackRock, its affiliates and significant shareholders and any officer, director, shareholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders, or any officer, director, shareholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Fund by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock’s (or its affiliates’ or significant shareholders’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Certain portfolio managers also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a fund. It should also be noted that Mr. Dickstein may be managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive fees. Mr. Dickstein may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts.
  As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock has adopted policies that are intended to ensure reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base, as appropriate.
  Sub-Subadviser BIL: For Potential Conflicts of Interest information, reference Potential Conflicts of Interest: BlackRock .
  BMO: A conflict of interest may arise as a result of a portfolio manager being responsible for multiple accounts, including the Fund, which may have different investment guidelines and objectives. In addition to the Fund, these accounts may include other mutual funds managed on an advisory or subadvisory basis, separate accounts, and collective trust accounts. An investment opportunity may be suitable for a Fund as well as for any of the other managed accounts. However, the investment may not be available in sufficient quantity for all of the accounts to participate fully. In addition, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a Fund and the other accounts. The other accounts may have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Fund, they may track the same benchmarks or indexes as the Fund tracks, and they may sell securities that are eligible to be held, sold or purchased by the Fund. A portfolio manager may be responsible for accounts that have different advisory fee schedules, which may create the incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another in terms of access to investment opportunities. A portfolio manager also may manage accounts whose investment objectives and policies differ from those of the Fund, which may cause the portfolio manager to effect trading in one account that may have an adverse effect on the value of the holdings within another account, including a Fund.
  To address and manage these potential conflicts of interest, BMO has adopted compliance policies and procedures to allocate investment opportunities and to ensure that each of its clients is treated on a fair and equitable basis. Such policies and procedures include, but are not limited to, trade allocation and trade aggregation policies, cross trading policies, portfolio manager assignment practices, and oversight by investment management, and/or compliance departments.
  CenterSquare: From time to time, potential conflicts of interest may arise between a portfolio manager’s management of the investments of the Fund, on the one hand, and the management of other accounts, on the other. The portfolio managers
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 115

 

  oversee the investment of various types of accounts in the same strategy, such as mutual funds, pooled investment vehicles and separate accounts for individuals and institutions. Investment decisions generally are applied to all accounts utilizing that particular strategy, taking into consideration client restrictions, instructions and individual needs. A portfolio manager may manage an account whose fees may be higher or lower than the fee charged to the Fund to provide for varying client circumstances. Management of multiple funds and accounts may create potential conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities, and the aggregation and allocation of client trades. Additionally, the management of the Fund and other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund or other accounts.
  During the normal course of managing assets for multiple clients of varying types and asset levels, the portfolio managers may encounter conflicts of interest, that could, if not properly addressed, be harmful to one or more of our clients. Those of a material nature that are encountered most frequently involve security selection, employee personal securities trading, proxy voting and the allocation of securities. To mitigate these conflicts and ensure its clients are not impacted negatively by the adverse actions of CenterSquare or its employees, CenterSquare has implemented a series of policies including, but not limited to, its Code of Ethics, which addresses avoidance of conflicts of interest and includes the firm’s personal security trading policies, which addresses personal security trading and requires the use of approved brokers, Trade Allocation/Aggregation Policy, which addresses fairness of trade allocation to client accounts, and the Proxy and Trade Error Policies which are designed to prevent and detect conflicts when they occur. CenterSquare reasonably believes that these and other policies combined with the periodic review and testing performed by its compliance professionals adequately protects the interest of its clients. A portfolio manager may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist in managing both the Fund and the other accounts listed above.
  Columbia Management: Like other investment professionals with multiple clients, a Fund’s portfolio manager(s) may face certain potential conflicts of interest in connection with managing both the Fund and other accounts at the same time. The Investment Manager and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that attempt to address certain of the potential conflicts that portfolio managers face in this regard. Certain of these conflicts of interest are summarized below.
  The management of accounts with different advisory fee rates and/or fee structures, including accounts that pay advisory fees based on account performance (performance fee accounts), may raise potential conflicts of interest for a portfolio manager by creating an incentive to favor higher fee accounts.
  Potential conflicts of interest also may arise when a portfolio manager has personal investments in other accounts that may create an incentive to favor those accounts. As a general matter and subject to the Investment Manager’s Code of Ethics and certain limited exceptions, the Investment Manager’s investment professionals do not have the opportunity to invest in client accounts, other than the funds.
  A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those Funds and/or accounts. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where Funds and/or accounts managed by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.
  A portfolio manager may be able to select or influence the selection of the broker/dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the Funds. A portfolio manager’s decision as to the selection of broker/dealers could produce disproportionate costs and benefits among the Funds and the other accounts the portfolio manager manages.
  A potential conflict of interest may arise when a portfolio manager buys or sells the same securities for a Fund and other accounts. On occasions when a portfolio manager considers the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a Fund as well as other accounts, the Investment Manager’s trading desk may, to the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the securities to be sold or bought in order to obtain the best execution and lower brokerage commissions, if any. Aggregation of trades may create the potential for unfairness to a Fund or another account if a portfolio manager favors one account over another in allocating the securities bought or sold. The Investment Manager and its Participating Affiliates (including Threadneedle) may coordinate their trading operations for certain types of securities and transactions pursuant to personnel-sharing agreements or similar intercompany arrangements. However, typically the Investment Manager does not coordinate trading activities with a Participating Affiliate with respect to accounts of that Participating Affiliate unless such Participating Affiliate is also providing trading services for accounts managed by the Investment Manager. Similarly, a Participating Affiliate typically does not coordinate trading activities with the Investment Manager with respect to accounts of the Investment Manager unless the Investment Manager is also providing trading services for accounts managed by such Participating Affiliate. As a result, it is possible that the Investment Manager and its Participating Affiliates may trade in the same instruments at the same time, in the same or opposite direction or in different sequence, which could negatively impact the prices paid by the Fund on such instruments. Additionally, in circumstances where trading services are being provided on a coordinated basis for the Investment Manager’s accounts (including the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 116

 

  Funds) and the accounts of one or more Participating Affiliates in accordance with applicable law, it is possible that the allocation opportunities available to the Funds may be decreased, especially for less actively traded securities, or orders may take longer to execute, which may negatively impact Fund performance.
  “Cross trades,” in which a portfolio manager sells a particular security held by a Fund to another account (potentially saving transaction costs for both accounts), could involve a potential conflict of interest if, for example, a portfolio manager is permitted to sell a security from one account to another account at a higher price than an independent third party would pay. The Investment Manager and the Funds have adopted compliance procedures that provide that any transactions between a Fund and another account managed by the Investment Manager are to be made at a current market price, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
  Another potential conflict of interest may arise based on the different investment objectives and strategies of a Fund and other accounts managed by its portfolio manager(s). Depending on another account’s objectives and other factors, a portfolio manager may give advice to and make decisions for a Fund that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of decisions made, with respect to another account. A portfolio manager’s investment decisions are the product of many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular account involved. Thus, a portfolio manager may buy or sell a particular security for certain accounts, and not for a Fund, even though it could have been bought or sold for the Fund at the same time. A portfolio manager also may buy a particular security for one or more accounts when one or more other accounts are selling the security (including short sales). There may be circumstances when a portfolio manager’s purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more accounts may have an adverse effect on other accounts, including the Funds.
  To the extent a Fund invests in underlying funds, a portfolio manager will be subject to the potential conflicts of interest described in Potential Conflicts of Interest – Columbia Management – FOF (Fund-of-Funds) below.
  A Fund’s portfolio manager(s) also may have other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict that could exist in managing the Fund and other accounts. Many of the potential conflicts of interest to which the Investment Manager’s portfolio managers are subject are essentially the same or similar to the potential conflicts of interest related to the investment management activities of the Investment Manager and its affiliates.
  Columbia Management – FoF (Fund-of-Funds): Management of funds-of-funds differs from that of the other Funds. The portfolio management process is set forth generally below and in more detail in the Funds’ prospectus.
  Portfolio managers of the fund-of-funds may be involved in determining each funds-of-fund’s allocation among the three main asset classes (equity, fixed income and cash) and the allocation among investment categories within each asset class, as well as each funds-of-fund’s allocation among the underlying funds.
Because of the structure of the funds-of-funds, the potential conflicts of interest for the portfolio managers may be different than the potential conflicts of interest for portfolio managers who manage other Funds.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may receive higher compensation as a result of allocations to underlying funds with higher fees.
In addition to the accounts above, portfolio managers may manage accounts in a personal capacity that may include holdings that are similar to, or the same as, those of the Fund. The Investment Manager has in place a Code of Ethics that is designed to address conflicts and that, among other things, imposes restrictions on the ability of the portfolio managers and other “investment access persons” to invest in securities that may be recommended or traded in the Fund and other client accounts.
To the extent a fund-of-funds invest in securities and instruments other than other Funds, the portfolio manager is subject to the potential conflicts of interest described in Potential Conflicts of Interest – Columbia Management above.
A Fund’s portfolio manager(s) also may have other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict that could exist in managing the fund and other accounts. Many of the potential conflicts of interest to which the Investment Manager’s portfolio managers are subject are essentially the same or similar to the potential conflicts of interest related to the Investment Management activities of the Investment Manager and its affiliates.
Columbia WAM: Like other investment professionals with multiple clients, a Fund’s portfolio manager(s) may face certain potential conflicts of interest in connection with managing both the Fund and other accounts at the same time. Columbia WAM and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that attempt to address certain of the potential conflicts that portfolio managers face in this regard. Certain of these conflicts of interest are summarized below.
The management of accounts with different advisory fee rates and/or fee structures may raise potential conflicts of interest for a portfolio manager by creating an incentive to favor higher fee accounts.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 117

 

Potential conflicts of interest also may arise when a portfolio manager has personal investments in other accounts that may create an incentive to favor those accounts. As a general matter and subject to the Investment Manager’s Code of Ethics and certain limited exceptions, the Investment Manager’s investment professionals do not have the opportunity to invest in client accounts, other than the funds managed by Columbia WAM.
A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts managed by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.
A portfolio manager may be able to select or influence the selection of the broker/dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the Funds. A portfolio manager’s decision as to the selection of broker/dealers could produce disproportionate costs and benefits among the Funds and the other accounts the portfolio manager manages.
A potential conflict of interest may arise when a portfolio manager buys or sells the same securities for a Fund and other accounts. On occasions when a portfolio manager considers the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a Fund as well as other accounts, Columbia WAM’s trading desk may, to the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the securities to be sold or bought in order to obtain the best execution and lower brokerage commissions, if any. Aggregation of trades may create the potential for unfairness to a Fund or another account if a portfolio manager favors one account over another in allocating the securities bought or sold.
“Cross trades,” in which a portfolio manager sells a particular security held by a Fund to another account (potentially saving transaction costs for both accounts), could involve a potential conflict of interest if, for example, a portfolio manager is permitted to sell a security from one account to another account at a higher price than an independent third party would pay. Columbia WAM and the Funds have adopted compliance procedures that provide that any transactions between the Fund and another account managed by Columbia WAM are to be made at an independent current market price, consistent with applicable laws and regulation.
Another potential conflict of interest may arise based on the different investment objectives and strategies of a Fund and other accounts managed by its portfolio manager(s). Depending on another account’s objectives and other factors, a portfolio manager may give advice to and make decisions for a Fund that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of decisions made, with respect to another account. A portfolio manager’s investment decisions are the product of many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular account involved. Thus, a portfolio manager may buy or sell a particular security for certain accounts, and not for a Fund, even though it could have been bought or sold for the Fund at the same time. A portfolio manager also may buy a particular security for one or more accounts when one or more other accounts are selling the security (including short sales). There may be circumstances when a portfolio manager’s purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more accounts may have an adverse effect on other accounts, including the Funds.
A Fund’s portfolio manager(s) also may have other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict that could be deemed to exist in managing both the Fund and other accounts. Many of the potential conflicts of interest to which Columbia WAM’s portfolio managers are subject are essentially the same as or similar to the potential conflicts of interest related to the investment management activities of Columbia WAM and its affiliates.
DFA: Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has the primary day-to-day responsibilities with respect to a mutual fund and other accounts. Other accounts include registered mutual funds (including proprietary mutual funds advised by DFA or its affiliates), other unregistered pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals (“Accounts”). An Account may have similar investment objectives to the Fund, or may purchase, sell or hold securities that are eligible to be purchased, sold or held by the Fund. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest include:
Time Management. The management of the Fund and other Accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and/or Accounts. DFA seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Accounts managed by a portfolio manager within an investment discipline may be managed using the same investment approach.
Investment Opportunities. It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by the Fund and one or more Accounts. However, positions in the same security may vary and the length of time that the Fund may hold investments in the same security may likewise vary. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for the Fund and one or more Accounts, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible Accounts. To address these situations, DFA has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple Accounts.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 118

 

Broker Selection. With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, DFA determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain Accounts (such as separately managed accounts), DFA may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, DFA or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for the Fund and another Account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the Account.
Performance-Based Fees. For some Accounts, DFA may be compensated based on the profitability of the Account, such as by a performance-based management fee. These incentive compensation structures may create a conflict of interest for DFA with regard to Accounts where DFA is paid based on a percentage of assets because the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate securities preferentially to the Accounts where DFA might share in investment gains.
Investment in an Account. A portfolio manager or his/her relatives may invest in an Account that he or she manages and a conflict may arise where he or she may therefore have an incentive to treat the Account in which the portfolio manager or his/her relatives invest preferentially as compared to other Accounts for which he or she has portfolio management responsibilities.
DFA has adopted certain compliance procedures that are reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect every situation in which a conflict arises.
Jacobs Levy: Jacobs Levy and its investment personnel provide investment management services to multiple accounts, including the Fund’s account. The Portfolio Managers, Bruce Jacobs and Ken Levy, jointly manage all Jacobs Levy-managed accounts with the support of the firm’s other investment professionals. Providing investment management services to multiple accounts simultaneously may give rise to certain potential conflicts of interest because accounts may have investment objectives and/or strategies that are similar to or different from those of the Fund. Jacobs Levy may make investment decisions for certain accounts that are not necessarily consistent with the decisions made for other accounts. As such, performance among accounts (including the Fund’s account) may differ. Conflicts may also arise in the allocation of transactions among client accounts with different fee arrangements and accounts in which the firm or the Portfolio Managers may have an ownership or financial interest.
Jacobs Levy is entitled to be paid performance-based compensation by certain accounts it manages. Jacobs Levy’s revenue may be increased by its receipt of performance-based fees. In addition, certain client accounts may have higher asset-based fees or more favorable performance-based compensation arrangements than other accounts. Jacobs Levy and the Portfolio Managers, whose compensation is derived primarily through their equity share in Jacobs Levy, may have an incentive to favor client accounts that pay the firm performance-based compensation or higher fees.
Jacobs Levy manages a number of proprietary accounts alongside client accounts. These proprietary accounts may invest in the same securities that Jacobs Levy recommends to or buys or sells for client accounts (including the Fund’s account). Jacobs Levy typically aggregates funds for proprietary and client accounts. These proprietary accounts may have investment objectives and/or strategies which are similar to or different from those of the Fund. Jacobs Levy may make investment decisions for proprietary accounts that are not necessarily consistent with the decisions made regarding client investments (including investments for the Fund). As such, the performance of these proprietary accounts may differ from the performance of client accounts (including the Fund’s account).
Jacobs Levy has adopted and implemented policies and procedures intended to address conflicts of interest relating to the management of multiple accounts. Jacobs Levy reviews statistical allocation reports periodically to determine whether accounts are treated, in its view, fairly. The performance of similarly managed accounts is also compared periodically to determine whether there are any unexplained significant discrepancies. In addition, Jacobs Levy has adopted procedures, which, in its view, are reasonably designed to create a fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time among accounts.
Jacobs Levy may provide a model portfolio to one or more of its clients for which Jacobs Levy does not have investment discretion. Jacobs Levy may execute trades for other clients whose accounts utilize the same investment strategy as the model. Since Jacobs Levy does not have discretion to execute trades for its model portfolio client(s), it is possible that trading based on the model portfolio will occur at the same or different times for Jacobs Levy’s discretionary clients and for its model portfolio client(s), and therefore that trading conducted for one client will impact the value at which the relevant securities trade for another client.
JPMIM: The potential for conflicts of interest exists when portfolio managers manage other accounts with similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund (“Similar Accounts”). Potential conflicts may include, for example, conflicts between investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 119

 

Responsibility for managing JPMorgan’s and its affiliates’ clients’ portfolios is organized according to investment strategies within asset classes. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed by portfolio managers in the same portfolio management group using the same objectives, approach and philosophy. Underlying sectors or strategy allocations within a larger portfolio are likewise managed by portfolio managers who use the same approach and philosophy as similarly managed portfolios. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios and strategies, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.
JPMorgan and/or its affiliates (“JPMorgan Chase”) perform investment services, including rendering investment advice, to varied clients. JPMorgan, JPMorgan Chase and its or their directors, officers, agents, and/or employees may render similar or differing investment advisory services to clients and may give advice or exercise investment responsibility and take such other action with respect to any of its other clients that differs from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken with respect to another client or group of clients. It is JPMorgan’s policy, to the extent practicable, to allocate, within its reasonable discretion, investment opportunities among clients over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis. One or more of JPMorgan’s other client accounts may at any time hold, acquire, increase, decrease, dispose, or otherwise deal with positions in investments in which another client account may have an interest from time-to-time.
JPMorgan, JPMorgan Chase, and any of its or their directors, partners, officers, agents or employees, may also buy, sell, or trade securities for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of JPMorgan and/or JPMorgan Chase. JPMorgan and/or JPMorgan Chase, within their discretion, may make different investment decisions and other actions with respect to their own proprietary accounts than those made for client accounts, including the timing or nature of such investment decisions or actions. Further, JPMorgan is not required to purchase or sell for any client account securities that it, JPMorgan Chase, and any of its or their employees, principals, or agents may purchase or sell for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of JPMorgan, or JPMorgan Chase or its clients.
JPMorgan and/or its affiliates may receive more compensation with respect to certain Similar Accounts than that received with respect to the Fund or may receive compensation based in part on the performance of certain Similar Accounts. This may create a potential conflict of interest for JPMorgan and its affiliates or the portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor these Similar Accounts when, for example, placing securities transactions. In addition, JPMorgan or its affiliates could be viewed as having a conflict of interest to the extent that JPMorgan or an affiliate has a proprietary investment in Similar Accounts, the portfolio managers have personal investments in Similar Accounts or the Similar Accounts are investment options in JPMorgan’s or its affiliates’ employee benefit plans. Potential conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of investment opportunities because of market factors or investment restrictions imposed upon JPMorgan and its affiliates by law, regulation, contract or internal policies. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially completed due to limited availability and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as JPMorgan or its affiliates may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored accounts. Initial public offerings, in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. JPMorgan and its affiliates may be perceived as causing accounts they manage to participate in an offering to increase JPMorgan’s and its affiliates’ overall allocation of securities in that offering. A potential conflict of interest also may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by another account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. If JPMorgan or its affiliates manage accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, JPMorgan or its affiliates could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.
As an internal policy matter, JPMorgan or its affiliates may from time to time maintain certain overall investment limitations on the securities positions or positions in other financial instruments JPMorgan or its affiliates will take on behalf of its various clients due to, among other things, liquidity concerns and regulatory restrictions. Such policies may preclude the Fund from purchasing particular securities or financial instruments, even if such securities or financial instruments would otherwise meet the Fund’s objectives.
The goal of JPMorgan and its affiliates is to meet their fiduciary obligation with respect to all clients. JPMorgan and its affiliates have policies and procedures that seek to manage conflicts. JPMorgan and its affiliates monitor a variety of areas, including compliance with fund guidelines, review of allocation decisions and compliance with JPMorgan’s Codes of Ethics and JPMorgan Chase and Co.’s Code of Conduct. With respect to the allocation of investment opportunities, JPMorgan and its affiliates also have certain policies designed to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time. For example: Orders for the same equity security traded through a single trading desk or system are aggregated on a continual basis throughout each trading day consistent with JPMorgan’s and its affiliates’ duty of best execution for their clients. If aggregated trades are fully executed, accounts participating in the trade will be allocated their pro rata share on an average price basis. Partially completed orders generally will be allocated among the participating
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 120

 

accounts on a pro-rata average price basis, subject to certain limited exceptions. For example, accounts that would receive a de minimis allocation relative to their size may be excluded from the order. Another exception may occur when thin markets or price volatility require that an aggregated order be completed in multiple executions over several days. If partial completion of the order would result in an uneconomic allocation to an account due to fixed transaction or custody costs, JPMorgan and its affiliates may exclude small orders until 50% of the total order is completed. Then the small orders will be executed. Following this procedure, small orders will lag in the early execution of the order, but will be completed before completion of the total order.
Purchases of money market instruments and fixed income securities cannot always be allocated pro-rata across the accounts with the same investment strategy and objective. However, the Adviser and its affiliates attempt to mitigate any potential unfairness by basing non-pro rata allocations traded through a single trading desk or system upon objective predetermined criteria for the selection of investments and a disciplined process for allocating securities with similar duration, credit quality and liquidity in the good faith judgment of the Adviser or its affiliates so that fair and equitable allocation will occur over time.
Loomis Sayles: Conflicts of interest may arise in the allocation of investment opportunities and the allocation of aggregated orders among the Funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio managers. A portfolio manager potentially could give favorable treatment to some accounts for a variety of reasons, including favoring larger accounts, accounts that pay higher fees, accounts that pay performance-based fees, accounts of affiliated companies and accounts in which the portfolio manager has an interest. Such favorable treatment could lead to more favorable investment opportunities or allocations for some accounts. Loomis Sayles makes investment decisions for all accounts (including institutional accounts, mutual funds, hedge funds and affiliated accounts) based on each account’s availability of other comparable investment opportunities and Loomis Sayles’ desire to treat all accounts fairly and equitably over time. Loomis Sayles maintains trade allocation and aggregation policies and procedures to address these potential conflicts. Conflicts of interest also arise to the extent a portfolio manager short sells a stock in one client account but holds that stock long in other accounts, including the Funds, or sells a stock for some accounts while buying the stock for others, and through the use of “soft dollar arrangements,” which are discussed in Loomis Sayles’ Brokerage Allocation Policies and Procedures and Loomis Sayles’ Trade Aggregation and Allocation Policies and Procedures.
  Los Angeles Capital : Los Angeles Capital has implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, which the firm believes are reasonably designed to address the potential for conflicts of interest associated with managing portfolios for multiple clients and that seek to treat all clients fairly and equally over time. Client accounts are managed independent of one another in accordance with client specific mandates, restrictions, and instructions as outlined in the investment management agreement. This can result in investment positions or actions taken for one client account that differ from those taken in another client account. Accordingly, one client account can engage in short sales of or take a short position in an investment that at the same time is owned or being purchased long by another client account. These positions and actions can adversely affect or benefit different clients at different times.
  Since client accounts have different investment strategies, objectives, restrictions, constraints, launch dates, and overlapping benchmark constituents, it is possible that Los Angeles Capital may be purchasing or holding a security for one account and simultaneously selling the same security for another account. Additionally, it is possible for the Firm to purchase or sell the same security for different accounts during the same trading day but at differing execution prices. This is because trade waves created using Los Angeles Capital’s Wave Optimization algorithm are often specific to a particular account and use live market prices as a primary wave creation determinant. A wave traded for one account or group of accounts at a particular time in the day may have a different profit/loss profile (trade decision variable) than a wave traded for another account or group of accounts at a different time of the same day, but the same security may be traded as part of both waves, resulting in different trade execution prices. As this Wave Optimization trading algorithm is dependent upon robust and consistent market data, Los Angeles Capital does not currently utilize this trading strategy in Developed Asia and some Emerging Markets.
  While each client account is managed individually, Los Angeles Capital may, at any given time, purchase and/or sell the same security in a block that is allocated among multiple accounts. There are a number of variables that can influence a decision to aggregate purchases or sales into a block, including but not limited to, liquidity, client trading directives, regulatory limitations, and cash flows. When there is decision making on whether to include or exclude certain accounts from a block transaction, there is always the potential for conflicts of interest. Los Angeles Capital’s policies and procedures in allocating trades are structured to treat all clients fairly. Los Angeles Capital is not required to aggregate any particular trade. For example, an account with directed brokerage may not participate in certain block trades. Los Angeles Capital’s portfolio managers manage accounts that are charged a performance-based fee alongside accounts with standard asset-based fee schedules. While performance-based fee arrangements may be viewed as creating an incentive to favor certain accounts over others in the allocation of investment opportunities, Los Angeles Capital has designed and implemented procedures to
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 121

 

ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equally, and to prevent conflicts from influencing the allocation of investment opportunities. Management and performance fees inure to the benefit of the firm as a whole and not to specific individuals or groups of individuals. Further, Los Angeles Capital employs a quantitative investment process which utilizes the firm’s proprietary investment model technology to identify securities and construct portfolios.
  Based on a variety of factors including the strategy, guidelines, and turnover goals employed by each account, Los Angeles Capital determines the trading frequency of an account with most accounts trading weekly and others less frequently. In a typical week, Los Angeles Capital will begin by trading its U.S. strategy accounts followed by its non-U.S. strategy accounts. An account’s rebalance cycle is dependent on the account’s strategy. Rebalances for U.S. strategy accounts are regularly rotated and generally begin on the same day, while the order of non-U.S. strategy account rebalances may be regularly rotated over several days. The firm’s proprietary accounts, which are invested in liquid securities, may be traded in rotation with client accounts or on a particular day of the week depending on liquidity, size, model constraints, and resource constraints.
  Los Angeles Capital has adopted a Code of Ethics that includes procedures on ethical conduct and personal trading and requires pre-clearance authorization from both the Trading and Compliance and Regulatory Risk Departments for certain personal security transactions. Investment personnel of Los Angeles Capital or its affiliate may be permitted to be commercially or professionally involved with an issuer of securities. There is a potential risk that Los Angeles Capital personnel may place their own interests (resulting from outside employment/directorships) ahead of the interests of Los Angeles Capital clients. Before engaging in any outside business activity, employees must obtain approval of the CCO as well as other personnel. Any potential conflicts of interest from such involvement are monitored for compliance with Los Angeles Capital’s Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics also governs employees giving or accepting gifts and entertainment.
  MFS: MFS seeks to identify potential conflicts of interest resulting from a portfolio manager’s management of both the Fund and other accounts, and has adopted policies and procedures designed to address such potential conflicts.
  The management of multiple funds and accounts (including proprietary accounts) gives rise to conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives and strategies, benchmarks, time horizons and fees as a portfolio manager must allocate his or her time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. In certain instances there are securities which are suitable for the Fund’s portfolio as well as for accounts of MFS or its subsidiaries with similar investment objectives. MFS’ trade allocation policies may give rise to conflicts of interest if the Fund’s orders do not get fully executed or are delayed in getting executed due to being aggregated with those of other accounts of MFS or its subsidiaries. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments. Investments selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform investments selected for the Fund.
  When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed by MFS to be fair and equitable to each. Allocations may be based on many factors and may not always be pro rata based on assets managed. The allocation methodology could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned.
  MFS and/or a portfolio manager may have a financial incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor accounts other than the Fund, for instance, those that pay a higher advisory fee and/or have a performance adjustment and/or include an investment by the portfolio manager.
  MSIM: Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (“MSIM”) and/or its affiliates (together "Morgan Stanley") provide a broad array of discretionary and non-discretionary investment management services and products for institutional accounts and individual investors. In addition, Morgan Stanley is a diversified global financial services firm that engages in a broad spectrum of activities including financial advisory services, asset management activities, sponsoring and managing private investment funds, engaging in broker-dealer transactions and other activities. Investors should be aware that there will be occasions when Morgan Stanley may encounter potential conflicts of interest in connection with its investment management services.
  Other Accounts. In addition to responsibilities with respect to the management and investment activities of the Fund, MSIM and its affiliates may have similar responsibilities with respect to various other existing and future pooled investment vehicles and client accounts. Such other private investment funds, registered investment companies and any other existing or future pooled investment vehicles and separately managed accounts advised or managed by MSIM or any of its affiliates are referred to in this Statement of Additional Information collectively as the "Other Accounts." The existence of such multiple vehicles and accounts necessarily creates a number of potential conflicts of interest.
  Investment Activities of the Fund and Other Accounts. In the course of providing investment advisory or other services to Other Accounts, MSIM and its affiliates might come into possession of material, nonpublic information that affects MSIM’s ability to buy, sell or hold Fund investments. In addition, affiliates of MSIM might own, and effect transactions in,
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 122

 

  securities of companies which MSIM and/or its affiliates cover in investment research materials or to whom affiliates of MSIM provide investment banking services or make a market in such securities, or in which MSIM, its affiliates and their respective shareholders, members, managers, partners, directors, officers and employees have positions of influence or financial interests. As a result, such persons might possess information relating to such securities that is not known to the individuals of MSIM responsible for managing the Fund's investments, or might be subject to confidentiality or other restrictions by law, contract or internal procedures.
  The terms under which MSIM and its affiliates provide management and other services to Other Accounts may differ significantly from those applicable to the Fund. In particular, arrangements with certain Other Accounts might provide for MSIM and its affiliates to receive fees that are higher than the Advisory Fees payable by shareholders of the Fund. MSIM does not receive performance-based compensation in respect of its investment management activities on behalf of the Fund, but may simultaneously manage Other Accounts for which MSIM receives greater fees or other compensation (including performance-based fees or allocations) than it receives in respect of the Fund, which may create a conflict of interest.
  Potential conflicts also may arise due to the fact that certain securities or instruments may be held in some Other Accounts but not in the Fund, or certain Other Accounts may have different levels of holdings in certain securities or instruments than those of the Fund. In addition, MSIM or its affiliates may give advice or take action with respect to the investments of one or more Other Accounts that may not be given or taken with respect to the Fund or Other Accounts with similar investment programs, objectives, and strategies. Accordingly, the Fund and Other Accounts with similar strategies may not hold the same securities or instruments or achieve the same performance. MSIM and its affiliates also may advise Other Accounts with conflicting programs, objectives or strategies. Different clients, including funds advised by MSIM or an affiliate, may invest in different classes of securities of the same issuer, depending on the respective client's investment objectives and policies. As a result, MSIM and its affiliates may at times seek to satisfy their fiduciary obligations to certain Other Accounts owning one class of securities of a particular issuer by pursuing or enforcing rights on behalf of such Other Accounts with respect to such class of securities, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund or certain Other Accounts, which may own a different class of securities of such issuer.
  Allocation of Investment Opportunities between Fund and Other Accounts. MSIM expects to conduct the Fund's investment program in a manner that is similar to the investment programs of certain of the Other Accounts, particularly where the investment objectives and policies of Other Accounts overlap (in whole or in part) with those of the Fund. However, there are or are expected to be differences among the Fund and the Other Accounts with respect to investment objectives, investment strategies, investment parameters and restrictions, portfolio management personnel, tax considerations, liquidity considerations, legal and/or regulatory considerations, asset levels, timing and size of investor capital contributions and withdrawals, cash flow considerations, available cash, market conditions and other criteria deemed relevant by MSIM and its affiliates (the nature and extent of the differences will vary from fund to fund). Furthermore, MSIM may manage or advise multiple Accounts (including Other Accounts in which Morgan Stanley and its personnel have an interest) that have investment objectives that are similar to the Fund and that may seek to make investments or sell investments in the same securities or other instruments, sectors or strategies as the Fund. This creates potential conflicts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited.
  Notwithstanding these differences, there may be circumstances where the Fund and all Other Accounts participate in parallel investment transactions at the same time and on the same terms. MSIM seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities for the Fund and any Other Account. To the extent that MSIM seeks to acquire the same security at the same time for more than one client account, it may not be possible to acquire a sufficiently large quantity of the security, or the price at which the security is obtained for clients may vary. Similarly, clients may not be able to obtain the same price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell a particular security when MSIM is trading for more than one account at the same time. If MSIM manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, MSIM could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.
  Transactions with Affiliates. MSIM might purchase securities from underwriters or placement agents in which an affiliate is a member of a syndicate or selling group, as a result of which an affiliate might benefit from the purchase through receipt of a fee or otherwise. MSIM will not purchase securities on behalf of the Fund from an affiliate that is acting as a manager of a syndicate or selling group. Purchases by MSIM on behalf of the Fund from an affiliate acting as a placement agent must meet the requirements of applicable law.
  Furthermore, Morgan Stanley may face conflicts of interest when the Fund uses service providers affiliated with Morgan Stanley because Morgan Stanley receives greater overall fees when they are used.
  Nuveen Asset Management: Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple accounts are presented a number of potential conflicts, including, among others, those discussed below.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 123

 

  The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. Nuveen Asset Management seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most accounts managed by a portfolio manager in a particular investment strategy are managed using the same investment models.
  If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, an account may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with these situations, Nuveen Asset Management has adopted procedures for allocating limited opportunities across multiple accounts.
  With respect to many of its clients’ accounts, Nuveen Asset Management determines which broker to use to execute transaction orders, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts, Nuveen Asset Management may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, Nuveen Asset Management may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a fund and other accounts which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the fund or the other accounts.
  Some clients are subject to different regulations. As a consequence of this difference in regulatory requirements, some clients may not be permitted to engage in all the investment techniques or transactions or to engage in these transactions to the same extent as the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where Nuveen Asset Management has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of some accounts, with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.
  Nuveen Asset Management has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts common among investment managers. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
  Oppenheimer: The investment activities of Oppenheimer and its affiliates with respect to other funds and accounts they manage may present potential conflicts of interest that could, under certain circumstances, disadvantage or adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. Oppenheimer or their affiliates advise other funds and accounts that have investment objectives and strategies that differ from, and may be contrary to, those of the Fund. That may result in another fund or account holding investment positions that are adverse to the Fund's investment strategies or activities. Other funds or accounts advised by Oppenheimer or its affiliates may also have conflicting interests arising from investment objectives and strategies that are similar to those of the Fund. For example, those funds and accounts may engage in, and compete for, the same types of investment opportunities as the Fund or invest in securities of the same issuers that have different features and interests as compared to securities held by the Fund. These features (such as seniority, guarantees and differential voting rights) may, under certain circumstances, come into conflict with or disadvantage securities held by the Fund. Because Oppenheimer and its affiliates may carry out the investment activities of those other funds or accounts without regard to the investment objectives or performance of the Fund, it is possible that the value of investments held by the Fund or the Fund's investment strategies may be adversely affected.
  The Fund's investment performance will usually differ from the performance of other funds or accounts that are also advised by Oppenheimer or its affiliates even in cases where the investment objectives and strategies of the relevant funds or accounts are similar. When managing multiple funds or accounts, Oppenheimer and its affiliates may make decisions with respect to investment positions held by certain funds or accounts that may cause the Fund to experience losses during periods in which other funds or accounts achieve gains. This may include causing another fund or account to take actions with respect to an issuer's liquidation, restructuring, default or corporate actions that may conflict with the interests of the Fund. Similar conflicts may also arise when the Fund and other funds or accounts invest in different parts of an issuer's capital structure, such as when the Fund holds equity or debt obligations of an issuer, and another fund or account holds more senior (or junior) debt obligations of the same issuer, or when the Fund and other funds or accounts hold securities of different issuers that have competing claims to the same assets or sources of payment. In such circumstances, decisions regarding whether to trigger an event of default, the terms of any potential workout or restructuring of a distressed issuer, liquidating or selling an investment, corporate actions, litigation or other investment decisions may, and often do, result in conflicts of interest. The Fund may receive lower returns on its investment in an issuer as a result of actions taken with respect to the same or related issuers by other investors, including other funds or accounts managed by Oppenheimer or its affiliates.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 124

 

  Oppenheimer or its affiliates may manage funds or accounts with different fee rates and/or fee structures, including funds or accounts that pay advisory fees based on account performance ("performance fee accounts"). Such differences in fee arrangements may raise potential conflicts of interest by creating an incentive to favor higher-fee accounts. For example, Oppenheimer or its affiliates could potentially allocate the most attractive investments to higher-fee accounts or performance fee accounts, or the trading of higher-fee accounts could potentially be favored as to timing and/or execution price.
  Oppenheimer has adopted policies and procedures designed to mitigate where possible potential conflicts of interest identified by Oppenheimer. However, such policies and procedures may also limit the Fund's investment activities and affect its performance. For example, the investment activities of such funds or accounts may result in Oppenheimer’s or its affiliates' receipt of material non-public information concerning certain securities, which could lead to restrictions in the trading of such securities or other investment activities of the Fund or other funds or accounts managed by Oppenheimer or its affiliates. In certain cases, Oppenheimer or its affiliates may avoid certain investment opportunities or actions that would potentially give rise to conflicts with other funds or accounts, which could also have the effect of limiting the Fund's investment opportunities and performance. In other cases, Oppenheimer or its affiliates may choose not to or fail to avoid investment opportunities or action that would potentially give rise to conflicts with other funds or accounts, which could under certain circumstances disadvantage the Fund while advantaging other funds or accounts or vice versa.
  Oppenheimer and its affiliates may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the information above is not a complete description of every conflict that could be deemed to exist when simultaneously managing the Fund and other funds and accounts.
  SBH: SBH has adopted policies and procedures that address potential conflicts of interest that may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account, such as conflicts relating to the allocation of limited investment opportunities, the order of executing transactions when the aggregation of the order is not possible, personal investing activities, structure of portfolio manager compensation, conflicting investment strategies and proxy voting of portfolio securities. While there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be effective in all cases, SBH believes that its policies and procedures and associated controls relating to potential material conflicts of interest involving the fund and its other managed funds and accounts have been reasonably designed.
  T. Rowe Price: Portfolio managers at T. Rowe Price and its affiliates may manage multiple accounts. These accounts may include, among others, mutual funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions such as pension funds, colleges and universities, and foundations), offshore funds and common trust funds. Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each portfolio based on the investment objectives, policies, practices, and other relevant investment considerations that the managers believe are applicable to that portfolio. Consequently, portfolio managers may purchase (or sell) securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio. T. Rowe Price and its affiliates have adopted brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures that they believe are reasonably designed to address any potential conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. Also, the portfolio managers’ compensation is determined in the same manner with respect to all portfolios managed by the portfolio manager.
  The T. Rowe Price Funds may, from time to time, own shares of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar is a provider of investment research to individual and institutional investors, and publishes ratings on mutual funds, including the T. Rowe Price Funds. T. Rowe Price manages the Morningstar retirement plan and acts as subadvisor to two mutual funds offered by Morningstar. In addition, T. Rowe Price and its affiliates pay Morningstar for a variety of products and services. In addition, Morningstar may provide investment consulting and investment management services to clients of T. Rowe Price or its affiliates.
  Since the T. Rowe Price funds and other accounts have different investment objectives or strategies, potential conflicts of interest may arise in executing investment decisions or trades among client accounts. For example, if T. Rowe Price purchases a security for one account and sells the same security short for another account, such a trading pattern could disadvantage either the account that is long or short. It is possible that short sale activity could adversely affect the market value of long positions in one or more T. Rowe Price funds and other accounts (and vice versa) and create potential trading conflicts, such as when long and short positions are being executed at the same time. To mitigate these potential conflicts of interest, T. Rowe Price has implemented policies and procedures requiring trading and investment decisions to be made in accordance with T. Rowe Price’s fiduciary duties to all accounts, including the T. Rowe Price funds. Pursuant to these policies, portfolio managers are generally prohibited from managing multiple strategies where they hold the same security long in one strategy and short in another, except in certain circumstances, including where an investment oversight committee has specifically reviewed and approved the holdings or strategy. Additionally, T. Rowe Price has implemented policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to ensure the fair and equitable allocation of trades, both long and short, to minimize the impact of trading activity across client accounts. T. Rowe Price monitors short sales to determine whether its procedures are working as intended and that such short sale activity is not materially impacting our trade executions and long positions for other clients.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 125

 

  TCW: TCW has policies and controls to avoid and/or mitigate conflicts of interest across its businesses. The policies and procedures in TCW’s Code of Ethics (the “Code”) serve to address or mitigate both conflicts of interest and the appearance of any conflict of interest. The Code contains several restrictions and procedures designed to eliminate conflicts of interest relating to personal investment transactions, including (i) reporting account openings, changes, or closings (including accounts in which an Access Person has a "beneficial interest"), (ii) pre-clearance of non-exempt personal investment transactions (make a personal trade request for Securities) and (iii) the completion of timely required reporting (Initial Holdings Report, Quarterly Transactions Report, Annual Holdings Report and Annual Certificate of Compliance).
  In addition, the Code addresses potential conflicts of interest through its policies on insider trading, anti-corruption, an employee’s outside business activities, political activities and contributions, confidentiality and whistleblower provisions.
  Conflicts of interest may also arise in the management of accounts and investment vehicles. These conflicts may raise questions that would allow TCW to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors certain accounts or investment vehicles over other accounts or investment vehicles, or incentivize a TCW portfolio manager to receive greater compensation with regard to the management of certain account or investment vehicles. TCW may give advice or take action with certain accounts or investment vehicles that could differ from the advice given or action taken on other accounts or investment vehicles. When an investment opportunity is suitable for more than one account or investment vehicle, such investments will be allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable under the circumstances to all TCW clients. As such, TCW has adopted compliance policies and procedures in its Portfolio Management Policy that helps to identify a conflict of interest and then specifies how a conflict of interest is managed. TCW’s Trading and Brokerage Policy also discusses the process of timing and method of allocations, and addresses how the firm handles affiliate transactions.
  The respective Equity and Fixed Income Trading and Allocation Committees review trading activities on behalf of client accounts, including the allocation of investment opportunities and address any issues with regard to side-by-side management in order to ensure that all of TCW’s clients are treated on a fair and equitable basis. Further, the Portfolio Analytics Committee reviews TCW’s investment strategies, evaluates various analytics to facilitate risk assessment, changes to performance composites and benchmarks and monitors the implementation and maintenance of the Global Investment Performance Standards or GIPS® compliance.
  TCW’s approach to handling conflicts of interest is multi-layered starting with its policies and procedures, reporting and pre-clearance processes and oversight by various committees.
  Threadneedle: Threadneedle portfolio managers may manage one or more mutual funds as well as other types of accounts, including proprietary accounts, separate accounts for institutions, and other pooled investment vehicles. Portfolio managers make investment decisions for an account or portfolio based on its investment objectives and policies, and other relevant investment considerations. A portfolio manager may manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle whose fees may be materially greater than the management fees paid by the Fund and may include a performance-based fee. Management of multiple funds and accounts may create potential conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities, and the aggregation and allocation of trades. In addition, a portfolio manager’s responsibilities at Threadneedle include working as a securities analyst. This dual role may give rise to conflicts with respect to making investment decisions for accounts that he/she manages versus communicating his/her analyses to other portfolio managers concerning securities that he/she follows as an analyst.
  Threadneedle has a fiduciary responsibility to all of the clients for which it manages accounts. Threadneedle seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and to aggregate securities transactions and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. Threadneedle has developed policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from the management of multiple types of accounts for multiple clients.
  Victory Capital: Victory Capital states that its portfolio managers are often responsible for managing one or more mutual funds as well as other accounts, such as separate accounts, and other pooled investment vehicles, such as collective trust funds or unregistered hedge funds. A portfolio manager may manage other accounts which have materially higher fee arrangements than the Fund and may, in the future, manage other accounts which have a performance-based fee. A portfolio manager also may make personal investments in accounts they manage or support. The side-by-side management of the Fund along with other accounts may raise potential conflicts of interest by incenting a portfolio manager to direct a disproportionate amount of: (1) their attention; (2) limited investment opportunities, such as less liquid securities or initial public offerings; and/or (3) desirable trade allocations, to such other accounts. In addition, certain trading practices, such as cross-trading between the Fund and another account, raise conflict of interest issues. Victory Capital has adopted numerous compliance policies and procedures, including a Code of Ethics, and brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, which seek to address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition, Victory Capital has a designated Chief Compliance Officer (selected in accordance with the federal securities laws) and compliance
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 126

 

  staff whose activities are focused on monitoring the activities of Victory Capital's investment franchises and employees in order to detect and address potential and actual conflicts of interest. However, there can be no assurance that Victory Capital's compliance program will achieve its intended result.
  WellsCap: WellsCap’s Portfolio Managers often provide investment management for separate accounts advised in the same or similar investment style as that provided to mutual funds. While management of multiple accounts could potentially lead to conflicts of interest over various issues such as trade allocation, fee disparities and research acquisition, WellsCap has implemented policies and procedures for the express purpose of ensuring that clients are treated fairly and that potential conflicts of interest are minimized.
  The Portfolio Managers face inherent conflicts of interest in their day-to-day management of the Funds and other accounts because the Funds may have different investment objectives, strategies and risk profiles than the other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers. For instance, to the extent that the Portfolio Managers manage accounts with different investment strategies than the Funds, they may from time to time be inclined to purchase securities, including initial public offerings, for one account but not for a Fund. Additionally, some of the accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers may have different fee structures, including performance fees, which are or have the potential to be higher or lower, in some cases significantly higher or lower, than the fees paid by the Funds. The differences in fee structures may provide an incentive to the Portfolio Managers to allocate more favorable trades to the higher-paying accounts.
  To minimize the effects of these inherent conflicts of interest, WellsCap has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, that they believe address the potential conflicts associated with managing portfolios for multiple clients and are designed to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equitably. Accordingly, security block purchases are allocated to all accounts with similar objectives in a fair and equitable manner. Furthermore, WellsCap has adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) to address potential conflicts associated with managing the Funds and any personal accounts the Portfolio Managers may maintain.
  Westfield: The simultaneous management of multiple accounts by our investment professionals creates a possible conflict of interest as they must allocate their time and investment ideas across multiple accounts. This may result in the Investment Committee or portfolio managers allocating unequal attention and time to the management of each client account as each has different objectives, benchmarks, investment restrictions and fees. For most client accounts, investment decisions are made at the Investment Committee level. Once an idea has been approved, it is implemented across all eligible and participating accounts within the strategy.
  Although the Investment Committee collectively acts as portfolio manager on most client accounts, there are some client accounts that are managed by a portfolio manager who also serves as a member of the Investment Committee. This can create a conflict of interest because investment decisions for these individually managed accounts do not require approval by the Investment Committee; thus, there is an opportunity for individually managed client accounts to trade in a security ahead of Investment Committee managed client accounts. Trade orders for individually managed accounts must be communicated to the Investment Committee. Additionally, the Compliance team performs periodic reviews of such accounts to ensure procedures have been followed.
  Westfield has clients with performance-based fee arrangements. A conflict of interest can arise between those portfolios that incorporate a performance fee and those that do not. When the same securities are recommended for both types of accounts, it is Westfield’s policy to allocate investments, on a pro-rata basis, to all participating and eligible accounts, regardless of the account’s fee structure. Our Operations team performs ongoing reviews of each product’s model portfolio versus each client account. Discrepancies are researched, and exceptions are documented.
  In placing each transaction for a client’s account, Westfield seeks best execution of that transaction except in cases where Westfield does not have the authority to select the broker or dealer, as stipulated by the client. We attempt to bundle directed brokerage accounts with non-directed accounts, and then utilize step-out trades to satisfy the directed arrangements. Clients who do not allow step-out trades generally will be executed after non-directed accounts.
  Because of our interest in receiving third party research services, there may be an incentive for Westfield to select a broker or dealer based on such interest rather than the clients’ interest in receiving most favorable execution. To mitigate the conflict that Westfield may have an incentive beyond best execution to utilize a particular broker, broker and research votes are conducted and reviewed on a quarterly basis. These votes provide the opportunity to recognize the unique research efforts of a wide variety of firms, as well as the opportunity to compare aggregate commission dollars with a particular broker to ensure appropriate correlation.
  Some Westfield clients have elected to retain certain brokerage firms as consultants or to invest their assets through a broker-sponsored wrap program for which Westfield acts as a manager. Several of these firms are on our approved broker list. Since Westfield may gain new clients through such relationships, and will interact closely with such firms to service the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 127

 

  client, there may be an incentive for Westfield to select a broker or dealer based on such interest rather than the clients’ interest. To help ensure independence in the brokerage selection process, brokerage selection is handled by our Traders, while client relationships are managed by our Marketing/Client Service team.
  Personal accounts may give rise to conflicts of interest. Westfield and its employees will, from time to time, for their own investment accounts, purchase, sell, hold or own securities or other assets which may be recommended for purchase, sale or ownership for one or more clients. Westfield has a Code of Ethics which regulates trading in such accounts; requirements include regular reporting and preclearance of transactions. Compliance reviews personal trading activity regularly.
  Westfield serves as manager to the General Partners of private funds, for which we also provide investment advisory services. Westfield and its employees have also invested their own funds in such vehicles and other investment strategies that are advised by the firm. Allowing such investments and having a financial interest in the private funds can create an incentive for the firm to favor these accounts because our financial interests are more directly tied to the performance of such accounts. To help ensure all clients are treated equitably and fairly, Westfield allocates investment opportunities on a pro-rata basis. Compliance conducts periodic reviews of client accounts to ensure procedures have been followed.
Structure of Compensation
American Century: American Century Investment Management, Inc. (“American Century”). American Century’s portfolio manager compensation is structured to align the interests of portfolio managers with those of the shareholders whose assets they manage. As of December 31, 2018, it includes the components described below, each of which is determined with reference to a number of factors such as overall performance, market competition and internal equity.
Base Salary . Portfolio managers receive base pay in the form of a fixed annual salary.
Bonus . A significant portion of portfolio manager compensation takes the form of an annual incentive bonus tied to performance of mutual funds a portfolio manager manages. Bonus payments are determined by a combination of factors. One factor is mutual fund investment performance. For most American Century mutual funds, investment performance is generally measured by a combination of one-, three- and five-year pre-tax performance relative to various benchmarks and/or internally-customized peer groups. The performance comparison periods may be adjusted based on a fund’s inception date or a portfolio manager’s tenure on the fund. Custom peer groups are constructed using all the funds in the indicated categories as a starting point. Funds are then eliminated from the peer group based on a standardized methodology designed to result in a final peer group that is both more stable over the long term (i.e., has less peer turnover) and that more closely represents the fund’s true peers based on internal investment mandates.
Portfolio managers may have responsibility for multiple American Century mutual funds. In such cases, the performance of each is assigned a percentage weight appropriate for the portfolio manager’s relative levels of responsibility.
Portfolio managers also may have responsibility for portfolios that are managed in a fashion similar to that of other American Century mutual funds. This is the case for Variable Portfolio – American Century Diversified Bond Fund. If the performance of a similarly managed account is considered for purposes of compensation, it is measured in the same way as a comparable American Century mutual fund (i.e., relative to the performance of a benchmark and/or peer group). Performance of Variable Portfolio – American Century Diversified Bond Fund is not separately considered in determining portfolio manager compensation.
A second factor in the bonus calculation relates to the performance of a number of American Century funds managed according to one of the following investment disciplines: global growth equity, global value equity, disciplined equity, global fixed income, and multi-asset strategies. Performance is measured for each product individually, as described above, and then combined to create an overall composite for the product group. These composites may measure one-year performance (equal weighted) or a combination of one-, three- and five-year performance (equal or asset weighted) depending on the portfolio manager’s responsibilities and products managed and the composite for certain portfolio managers may include multiple disciplines. This feature is designed to encourage effective teamwork among portfolio management teams in achieving long-term investment success for similarly styled portfolios. The American Century ETFs are not included in a product group composite.
A portion of portfolio managers’ bonuses may also be tied to management of ETFs, profitability, or individual performance goals, such as research projects and the development of new products.
Restricted Stock Plans . Portfolio managers are eligible for grants of restricted stock of ACC. These grants are discretionary, and eligibility and availability can vary from year to year. The size of an individual’s grant is determined by individual and product performance as well as other product-specific considerations such as profitability. Grants can appreciate/depreciate in value based on the performance of ACC stock during the restriction period (generally three to four years).
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 128

 

Deferred Compensation Plans . Portfolio managers are eligible for grants of deferred compensation. These grants are used in very limited situations, primarily for retention purposes. Grants are fixed and can appreciate/ depreciate in value based on the performance of the American Century mutual funds in which the portfolio manager chooses to invest them.
  AQR : The compensation for each of the portfolio managers that is a Principal of AQR is in the form of distributions based on the net income generated by AQR and each Principal’s relative ownership in AQR. Net income distributions are a function of assets under management and performance of the funds and accounts managed by AQR. A Principal’s relative ownership in AQR is based on cumulative research, leadership and other contributions to AQR. There is no direct linkage between assets under management, performance and compensation. However, there is an indirect linkage in that superior performance tends to attract assets and thus increase revenues. Each portfolio manager is also eligible to participate in AQR’s 401(k) retirement plan which is offered to all employees of AQR.
  BlackRock: BlackRock’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock.
  Base Compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.
  Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager’s group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm’s assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individual’s performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the Funds or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. Among other things, BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio manager’s compensation based on the performance of the Funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Performance of fixed income funds is measured on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis over various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. With respect to these portfolio managers, such benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are: varied Euro-based benchmarks and a combination of market-based indices (e.g. Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index, Bloomberg Barclays US Universal Index and Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate Aggregate Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.
Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash, deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards, and/or deferred cash awards that notionally track the return of certain BlackRock investment products.
Portfolio managers receive their annual discretionary incentive compensation in the form of cash. Portfolio managers whose total compensation is above a specified threshold also receive deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards annually as part of their discretionary incentive compensation. Paying a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in the form of deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on BlackRock’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. In some cases, additional deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock may be granted to certain key employees as part of a long-term incentive award to aid in retention, align interests with long-term shareholders and motivate performance. Deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that vest pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The portfolio managers of this Fund have deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards.
For certain portfolio managers, a portion of the discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in the form of deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage, which provides direct alignment of portfolio manager discretionary incentive compensation with investment product results. Deferred cash awards vest ratably over a number of years and, once vested, settle in the form of cash. Only portfolio managers who manage specified products and whose total compensation is above a specified threshold are eligible to participate in the deferred cash award program.
Other Compensation Benefits. In addition to base salary and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:
Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the Internal Revenue Service limit ($275,000 for 2018). The RSP
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 129

 

offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. Mr. Dickstein is eligible to participate in these plans.
United Kingdom-based portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in broad-based plans offered generally to BlackRock employees, including broad-based retirement, health and other employee benefit plans. For example, BlackRock has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock employees are eligible to participate, including the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution to the RSP is between 6% to 15% (dependent on service related entitlement) of eligible pay capped at £150,000 per annum. The RSP offers a range of investment options, including several collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, in the absence of an investment election being made, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a US dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. Mr. Allen is eligible to participate in these plans.
Sub-Subadviser BIL: For Compensation information, reference Compensation: BlackRock .
  BMO: Compensation for BMO’s portfolio managers consists of base salary, discretionary performance bonuses, and other benefits. Base salaries are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure alignment with the external market. Discretionary performance bonuses vary according to business and individual performance and are provided in a combination of cash and deferred equity-based awards for employees at higher levels of compensation. Portfolio managers also may have a long-term incentive program consisting of restricted share units or other units linked to the performance of BMO.
  CenterSquare: CenterSquare’s compensation structure is comprised of base pay and annual incentive compensation. Individuals’ packages are designed with the appropriate component combinations to match specific positions.
Base pay: salary is competitive and base pay levels link pay with performance and reflect the market value of the position, individual performance and company business results.
Annual Cash Bonus: the annual cash bonus plan is based on individual performance, including individual contribution to meeting business unit goals, career development goals and adherence to corporate values. The annual cash bonus plan pool is computed based on the profitability of the firm.
Equity grant awards: management has reserved equity grant awards for employees based on a number of factors including exemplary performance and contributions to the company.
The current compensation structure was formulated with the intent of attracting and retaining high caliber professional employees. CenterSquare, as a fiduciary, is committed to providing the necessary resources to maintain the quality of its services for the Funds.
Columbia Management : Portfolio manager direct compensation is typically comprised of a base salary, and an annual incentive award that is paid either in the form of a cash bonus if the size of the award is under a specified threshold, or, if the size of the award is over a specified threshold, the award is paid in a combination of a cash bonus, an equity incentive award, and deferred compensation. Equity incentive awards are made in the form of Ameriprise Financial restricted stock or, for more senior employees, both Ameriprise Financial restricted stock and stock options. The investment return credited on deferred compensation is based on the performance of specified Columbia Funds, in most cases including the Columbia Funds the portfolio manager manages.
Base salary is typically determined based on market data relevant to the employee’s position, as well as other factors including internal equity. Base salaries are reviewed annually, and increases are typically given as promotional increases, internal equity adjustments, or market adjustments.
Under the Columbia Management annual incentive plan for investment professionals, awards are discretionary, and the amount of incentive awards for investment team members is variable based on (1) an evaluation of the investment performance of the investment team of which the investment professional is a member, reflecting the performance (and client experience) of the funds or accounts the investment professional manages and, if applicable, reflecting the individual’s work as an investment research analyst, (2) the results of a peer and/or management review of the individual, taking into account attributes such as team participation, investment process followed, communications, and leadership, and (3) the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 130

 

amount of aggregate funding of the plan determined by senior management of Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Ameriprise Financial, which takes into account Columbia Threadneedle Investments revenues and profitability, as well as Ameriprise Financial profitability, historical plan funding levels and other factors. Columbia Threadneedle Investments revenues and profitability are largely determined by assets under management. In determining the allocation of incentive compensation to investment teams, the amount of assets and related revenues managed by the team is also considered. Individual awards are subject to a comprehensive risk adjustment review process to ensure proper reflection in remuneration of adherence to our controls and Code of Conduct.
Investment performance for a fund or other account is measured using a scorecard that compares account performance against benchmarks and/or peer groups. Account performance may also be compared to unaffiliated passively managed ETFs, taking into consideration the management fees of comparable passively managed ETFs, when available and as determined by the Investment Manager. Consideration is given to relative performance over the one-, three- and five-year periods, with the largest weighting on the three-year comparison. For individuals and teams that manage multiple strategies and accounts, relative asset size is a key determinant in calculating the aggregate score, with weighting typically proportionate to actual assets. For investment leaders who have group management responsibilities, another factor in their evaluation is an assessment of the group’s overall investment performance. Exceptions to this general approach to bonuses exist for certain teams and individuals.
Equity incentive awards are designed to align participants’ interests with those of the shareholders of Ameriprise Financial. Equity incentive awards vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
Deferred compensation awards are designed to align participants’ interests with the investors in the Columbia Funds and other accounts they manage. The value of the deferral account is based on the performance of Columbia Funds. Employees have the option of selecting from various Columbia Funds for their deferral account, however portfolio managers must (other than by strict exception) allocate a minimum of 25% of their incentive awarded through the deferral program to the Columbia Fund(s) they manage. Deferrals vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same and are competitive within the financial services industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), and a cash balance pension plan.
Columbia Management – Tech Team: Portfolio manager compensation is typically comprised of (i) a base salary and (ii) an annual cash bonus. The annual cash bonus, and in most instances the base salary, are paid from a team compensation pool that is based on fees and performance of the accounts managed by the portfolio management team, which might include mutual funds, wrap accounts, institutional portfolios and hedge funds.
The percentage of management fees on mutual funds that fund the bonus pool is based on the short term (typically one-year) and long-term (typically three-year and five-year) performance of those accounts in relation to the relevant peer group universe.
The pool is also funded by a percentage of the management fees on long-only institutional separate accounts, that percentage being based on the source of the account in question, and by a fixed percentage of management fees on hedge funds and separately managed accounts that follow a hedge fund mandate.
The percentage of performance fees on hedge funds and separately managed accounts that follow a hedge fund mandate that fund the bonus pool is based on the absolute level of each hedge fund’s current year investment return.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same and are competitive within the financial services industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), and a cash balance pension plan.
Columbia WAM: Portfolio manager direct compensation is typically comprised of a base salary, and an annual incentive award that is paid either in the form of a cash bonus if the size of the award is under a specified threshold, or, if the size of the award is over a specified threshold, the award is paid in a combination of a cash bonus, an equity incentive award, and deferred compensation. Equity incentive awards are made in the form of Ameriprise Financial restricted stock or, for more senior employees, both Ameriprise Financial restricted stock and stock options. The investment return credited on deferred compensation is based on the performance of specified Columbia Funds, in most cases including the Columbia Funds the portfolio manager manages.
Base salary is typically determined based on market data relevant to the employee’s position, as well as other factors including internal equity. Base salaries are reviewed annually, and increases are typically given as promotional increases, internal equity adjustments, or market adjustments.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 131

 

Under the Columbia Management annual incentive plan for investment professionals, awards are discretionary, and the amount of incentive awards for investment team members is variable based on (1) an evaluation of the investment performance of the investment team of which the investment professional is a member, reflecting the performance (and client experience) of the funds or accounts the investment professional manages and, if applicable, reflecting the individual’s work as an investment research analyst, (2) the results of a peer and/or management review of the individual, taking into account attributes such as team participation, investment process followed, communications, and leadership, and (3) the amount of aggregate funding of the plan determined by senior management of Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Ameriprise Financial, which takes into account Columbia Threadneedle Investments revenues and profitability, as well as Ameriprise Financial profitability, historical plan funding levels and other factors. Columbia Threadneedle Investments revenues and profitability are largely determined by assets under management. In determining the allocation of incentive compensation to investment teams, the amount of assets and related revenues managed by the team is also considered. Individual awards are subject to a comprehensive risk adjustment review process to ensure proper reflection in remuneration of adherence to our controls and Code of Conduct.
Investment performance for a fund or other account is measured using a scorecard that compares account performance against benchmarks and/or peer groups. Account performance may also be compared to unaffiliated passively managed ETFs, taking into consideration the management fees of comparable passively managed ETFs, when available and as determined by the Investment Manager. Consideration is given to relative performance over the one-, three- and five-year periods, with the largest weighting on the three-year comparison. For individuals and teams that manage multiple strategies and accounts, relative asset size is a key determinant in calculating the aggregate score, with weighting typically proportionate to actual assets. For investment leaders who have group management responsibilities, another factor in their evaluation is an assessment of the group’s overall investment performance. Exceptions to this general approach to bonuses exist for certain teams and individuals.
Equity incentive awards are designed to align participants’ interests with those of the shareholders of Ameriprise Financial. Equity incentive awards vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
Deferred compensation awards are designed to align participants’ interests with the investors in the Columbia Funds and other accounts they manage. The value of the deferral account is based on the performance of Columbia Funds. Employees have the option of selecting from various Columbia Funds for their deferral account, however portfolio managers must (other than by strict exception) allocate a minimum of 25% of their incentive awarded through the deferral program to the Columbia Fund(s) they manage. Deferrals vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same and are competitive within the financial services industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), and a cash balance pension plan.
DFA: Portfolio managers receive a base salary and bonus. Compensation of a portfolio manager is determined at the discretion of DFA and is based on a portfolio manager’s experience, responsibilities, the perception of the quality of his or her work efforts and other subjective factors. The compensation of portfolio managers is not directly based upon the performance of the mutual funds or other accounts that the portfolio managers manage. DFA reviews the compensation of each portfolio manager annually and may make modifications in compensation as it deems necessary to reflect changes in the market. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following:
Base salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. DFA considers the factors described above to determine each portfolio manager’s base salary.
Semi-Annual Bonus. Each portfolio manager may receive a semi-annual bonus. The amount of the bonus paid to each portfolio manager is based upon the factors described above.
Portfolio managers may be awarded the right to purchase restricted shares of the stock of DFA as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of DFA or its delegees. Portfolio managers also participate in benefit and retirement plans and other programs available generally to all employees.
In addition, portfolio managers may be given the option of participating in DFA’s Long Term Incentive Plan. The level of participation for eligible employees may be dependent on overall level of compensation, among other considerations. Participation in this program is not based on or related to the performance of any individual strategies or any particular client accounts.
Jacobs Levy: Each Portfolio Manager receives a fixed salary and a percentage of the profits of Jacobs Levy, which is based upon the Portfolio Manager’s ownership interest in the firm. Jacobs Levy’s profits are derived from the fees the firm receives from managing client accounts. For most client accounts, the firm receives a fee based upon a percentage of assets under management (the “basic fee”). For some accounts, the firm receives a fee that is adjusted based upon the performance
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 132

 

of the account compared to a benchmark. The type of performance adjusted fee, the measurement period for the fee and the benchmark vary by client. In some cases, the basic fee is adjusted based upon the trailing returns (e.g., annualized trailing 12 quarter returns) of the account relative to an annualized benchmark return plus a specified number of basis points. In other cases, the firm receives the basic fee and a percentage of the profits in excess of a benchmark.
JPMIM : JPMorgan’s compensation programs are designed to align the behavior of employees with the achievement of its short- and long-term strategic goals, which revolve around client investment objectives. This is accomplished, in part, through a balanced performance assessment process and total compensation program, as well as a clearly defined culture that rigorously and consistently promotes adherence to the highest ethical standards.
In determining portfolio manager compensation, JPMorgan uses a balanced discretionary approach to assess performance against four broad categories: (1) business results; (2) risk and control; (3) customers and clients; and (4) people and leadership.
These performance categories consider short-, medium- and long-term goals that drive sustained value for clients, while accounting for risk and control objectives. Specifically, portfolio manager performance is evaluated against various factors including the following: (1) blended pre-tax investment performance relative to competitive indices, generally weighted more to the long-term; (2) individual contribution relative to the client’s risk/return objectives; and (3) adherence with JPMorgan’s compliance, risk and regulatory procedures.
Feedback from JPMorgan’s risk and control professionals is considered in assessing performance.
JPMorgan maintains a balanced total compensation program comprised of a mix of fixed compensation (including a competitive base salary and, for certain employees, a fixed cash allowance), variable compensation in the form of cash incentives, and long-term incentives in the form of equity based and/or fund-tracking incentives that vest over time. Long-term awards comprise of up to 60% of overall incentive compensation, depending on an employee’s pay level.
Long-term awards are generally in the form of time-vested JPMC Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”). However, portfolio managers are subject to a mandatory deferral of long-term incentive compensation under JPMorgan’s Mandatory Investor Plan (“Mandatory Investment Plan”). The Mandatory Investment Plan provides for a rate of return equal to that of the Fund(s) that the portfolio managers manage, thereby aligning portfolio managers’ pay with that of their client’s experience/return. 100% of the portfolio managers’ long-term incentive compensation is eligible for Mandatory Investment Plan and, depending on the level of compensation, 50% is aligned with the specific Fund(s) they manage, as determined by their respective manager. The remaining portion of the overall amount is electable and may be treated as if invested in any of the other Funds available in the plan or can take the form of RSUs.
  Loomis Sayles: Loomis Sayles believes that portfolio manager compensation should be driven primarily by the delivery of consistent and superior long-term performance for its clients. Portfolio manager compensation is made up primarily of three main components: base salary, variable compensation and a long-term incentive program. Although portfolio manager compensation is not directly tied to assets under management, a portfolio manager’s base salary and/or variable compensation potential may reflect the amount of assets for which the manager is responsible relative to other portfolio managers. Loomis Sayles also offers a profit sharing plan. Base salary is a fixed amount based on a combination of factors, including industry experience, firm experience, job performance and market considerations. Variable compensation is an incentive-based component and generally represents a significant multiple of base salary. Variable compensation is based on four factors: investment performance, profit growth of the firm, profit growth of the manager’s business unit and personal conduct. Investment performance is the primary component of total variable compensation and generally represents at least 60% of the total for fixed-income managers and 70% of the total for equity managers. The other three factors are used to determine the remainder of variable compensation, subject to the discretion of the Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) and senior management. The CIO and senior management evaluate these other factors annually.
  Equity Managers . While mutual fund performance and asset size do not directly contribute to the compensation calculation, investment performance for equity managers is measured by comparing the performance of Loomis Sayles’ institutional composites to the performance of the applicable Morningstar peer group and/or the Lipper universe. Generally speaking the performance of the respective product’s fund is compared against the applicable Morningstar peer group and/or the Lipper universe. To the extent the majority of assets managed in the fund strategy are for institutional separate accounts, the Evestment Alliance institutional peer group will also be used as an additional comparison. In situations where substantially all of the assets for the strategy are institutional, the institutional peer group will be used as the primary method of comparison. A manager’s performance relative to the peer group for the 1, 3 and 5 year periods, (3 and 5 or 10 years for large cap growth, all cap growth and global growth), or since the start of the manager’s tenure, if shorter, is used to calculate the amount of variable compensation payable due to performance. Longer-term performance is typically weighted more than shorter-term performance. In addition, the performance measurement for equity compensation usually incorporates a consistency metric using longer term rolling returns compared to the peer group over a sustained measurement period;
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 133

 

  however, the exact method may be adjusted to a product’s particular style. If a manager is responsible for more than one product, the rankings of each product are weighted based on relative revenue of accounts represented in each product. An external benchmark is used as a secondary comparison. The external benchmark used for the VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund is the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Mr. Hamzaogullari also receives additional compensation based on revenue and performance hurdles for his strategies, and performance fee based compensation as portfolio manager for a private investment fund.
  In cases where the institutional peer groups are used, Loomis Sayles believes they represent the most competitive product universe while closely matching the investment styles offered by the Loomis Sayles fund.
  In addition to the compensation described above, portfolio managers may receive additional compensation based on the overall growth of their strategies.
  General. Most mutual funds do not directly contribute to a portfolio manager’s overall compensation because Loomis Sayles’ uses the performance of the portfolio manager’s institutional accounts compared to an institutional peer group. However, each fund managed by Loomis Sayles employs strategies endorsed by Loomis Sayles and fits into the product category for the relevant investment style. Loomis Sayles may adjust compensation if there is significant dispersion among the returns of the composite and accounts not included in the composite.
  Loomis Sayles has developed and implemented two distinct long-term incentive plans to attract and retain investment talent. The plans supplement existing compensation. The first plan has several important components distinguishing it from traditional equity ownership plans:
the plan grants units that entitle participants to an annual payment based on a percentage of company earnings above an established threshold;
upon retirement, a participant will receive a multi-year payout for his or her vested units; and
participation is contingent upon signing an award agreement, which includes a non-compete covenant.
The second plan is similarly constructed although the participants’ annual participation in company earnings is deferred for two years from the time of award and is only payable if the portfolio manager remains at Loomis Sayles. In this plan, there are no post-retirement payments or non-compete covenants.
Senior management expects that the variable compensation portion of overall compensation will continue to remain the largest source of income for those investment professionals included in the plan(s). The plan(s) was/were initially offered to portfolio managers and over time the scope of eligibility widened to include other key investment professionals. Management has full discretion on what units are issued and to whom.
Portfolio managers also participate in the Loomis Sayles profit sharing plan, in which Loomis Sayles makes a contribution to the retirement plan of each employee based on a percentage of base salary (up to a maximum amount). The portfolio managers may also participate in the Loomis Sayles defined benefit pension plan, which applies to all Loomis Sayles employees who joined the firm prior to May 3, 2003. The defined benefit is based on years of service and base compensation (up to a maximum amount).
  Los Angeles Capital: Los Angeles Capital’s portfolio managers participate in a competitive compensation program that is aimed at attracting and retaining talented employees with an emphasis on disciplined risk management, ethics and compliance-centered behavior. No component of Los Angeles Capital’s compensation policy or payment scheme is tied directly to the performance of one or more client portfolios or funds.
  Each of Los Angeles Capital’s portfolio managers receives a base salary fixed from year to year. In addition, the portfolio managers participate in Los Angeles Capital’s profit sharing plan. The aggregate amount of the contribution to Los Angeles Capital’s profit sharing plan is based on overall firm profitability with amounts paid to individual employees based on their relative overall compensation. Each of the portfolio managers also are shareholders of Los Angeles Capital and receive compensation based upon the firm’s overall profits. Certain portfolio managers are also eligible to receive a discretionary bonus from Los Angeles Capital.
  MFS: MFS’ philosophy is to align portfolio manager compensation with the goal to provide shareholders with long-term value through a collaborative investment process. Therefore, MFS uses long-term investment performance as well as contribution to the overall investment process and collaborative culture as key factors in determining portfolio manager compensation. In addition, MFS seeks to maintain total compensation programs that are competitive in the asset management industry in each geographic market where it has employees. MFS uses competitive compensation data to ensure that compensation practices are aligned with its goals of attracting, retaining, and motivating the highest-quality professionals.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 134

 

  MFS reviews portfolio manager compensation annually. In determining portfolio manager compensation, MFS uses quantitative means and qualitative means to help ensure a sustainable investment process. As of December 31, 2018, portfolio manager total cash compensation is a combination of base salary and performance bonus:
  Base Salary Base salary generally represents a smaller percentage of portfolio manager total cash compensation than performance bonus.
  Performance Bonus Generally, the performance bonus represents more than a majority of portfolio manager total cash compensation.
  The performance bonus is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors, generally with more weight given to the former and less weight given to the latter.
  The quantitative portion is primarily based on the pre-tax performance of accounts managed by the portfolio manager over a range of fixed-length time periods, intended to provide the ability to assess performance over time periods consistent with a full market cycle and a strategy's investment horizon. The fixed-length time periods include the portfolio manager's full tenure on each fund and, when available, ten-, five-, and three-year periods. For portfolio managers who have served for less than three years, shorter-term periods, including the one-year period, will also be considered, as will performance in previous roles, if any, held at the firm. Emphasis is generally placed on longer performance periods when multiple performance periods are available. Performance is evaluated across the full set of strategies and portfolios managed by a given portfolio manager, relative to appropriate peer group universes and/or representative indices (“benchmarks”). As of December 31, 2018, the Russell 1000® Value Index was used to measure the performance of Nevin Chitkara and Steve Gorham for the VP – MFS® Value Fund. As of December 31, 2018, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index was used to measure the performance of Matt Krummell, Jim Fallon, Jonathan Sage and Jed Stocks for the VP – MFS® Blended Research® Core Equity Fund.
Benchmarks may include versions and components of indices, custom indices, and linked indices that combine performance of different indices for different portions of the time period, where appropriate.
The qualitative portion is based on the results of an annual internal peer review process (where portfolio managers are evaluated by other portfolio managers, analysts, and traders) and management’s assessment of overall portfolio manager contribution to the MFS investment process and the client experience (distinct from fund and other account performance).
The performance bonus is generally a combination of cash and a deferred cash award. A deferred cash award is issued for a cash value and becomes payable over a three-year vesting period if the portfolio manager remains in the continuous employ of MFS or its affiliates. During the vesting period, the value of the unfunded deferred cash award will fluctuate as though the portfolio manager had invested the cash value of the award in an MFS Fund(s) selected by the portfolio manager.
MFS Equity Plan – Portfolio managers also typically benefit from the opportunity to participate in the MFS Equity Plan. Equity interests are awarded by management, on a discretionary basis, taking into account tenure at MFS, contribution to the investment process, and other factors.
Finally, portfolio managers also participate in benefit plans (including a defined contribution plan and health and other insurance plans) and programs available generally to other employees of MFS. The percentage such benefits represent of any portfolio manager’s compensation depends upon the length of the individual’s tenure at MFS and salary level, as well as other factors.
MSIM: Morgan Stanley’s compensation structure is based on a total reward system of base salary and incentive compensation, which is paid either in the form of cash bonus, or for employees meeting the specified deferred compensation eligibility threshold, partially as a cash bonus and partially as mandatory deferred compensation. Deferred compensation granted to Investment Management employees are generally granted as a mix of deferred cash awards under the Investment Management Alignment Plan (IMAP and equity-based awards in the form of stock units. The portion of incentive compensation granted in the form of a deferred compensation award and the terms of such awards are determined annually by the Compensation, Management Development and Succession Committee of the Morgan Stanley Board of Directors.
Base salary compensation . Generally, portfolio managers receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Adviser.
Incentive compensation . In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary year-end compensation.
Incentive compensation may include:
• Cash Bonus.
• Defer red Compensation:
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 135

 

A mandatory program that defers a portion of incentive compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock or other plans that are subject to vesting and other conditions.
IMAP is a cash-based deferred compensation plan designed to increase the alignment of participants’ interests with the interests of the Advisor’s clients. For eligible employees, a portion of their deferred compensation is mandatorily deferred into IMAP on an annual basis. Awards granted under IMAP are notionally invested in referenced funds available pursuant to the plan, which are funds advised by Investment Management. Portfolio managers are required to notionally invest a minimum of 25% of their account balance in the designated funds that they manage and are included in the IMAP notional investment fund menu.
Deferred compensation awards are typically subject to vesting over a multi-year period and are subject to cancellation through the payment date for competition, cause (i.e., any act or omission that constitutes a breach of obligation to the Company, including failure to comply with internal compliance, ethics or risk management standards, and failure or refusal to perform duties satisfactorily, including supervisory and management duties), disclosure of proprietary information, and solicitation of employees or clients. Awards are also subject to clawback through the payment date if an employee’s act or omission (including with respect to direct supervisory responsibilities) causes a restatement of the Firm’s consolidated financial results, constitutes a violation of the Firm’s global risk management principles, policies and standards, or causes a loss of revenue associated with a position on which the employee was paid and the employee operated outside of internal control policies.
Investment Management compensates employees based on principles of pay-for-performance, market competitiveness and risk management. Eligibility for, and the amount of any, discretionary compensation is subject to a multi-dimensional process. Specifically, consideration is given to one or more of the following factors, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances:
Revenue and profitability of the business and/or each fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager
Revenue and profitability of the Firm
Return on equity and risk factors of both the business units and Morgan Stanley
Assets managed by the portfolio manager
External market conditions
New business development and business sustainability
Contribution to client objectives
The pre-tax investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager (which may, in certain cases, be measured against the applicable benchmark(s) and/or peer group(s) over one, three and five-year periods.
Individual contribution and performance
Further, the Firm’s Global Incentive Compensation Discretion Policy requires compensation managers to consider only legitimate, business related factors when exercising discretion in determining variable incentive compensation, including adherence to Morgan Stanley’s core values, conduct, disciplinary actions in the current performance year, risk management and risk outcomes.
Nuveen Asset Management: Portfolio manager compensation consists primarily of base pay, an annual cash bonus and long-term incentive payments.
Base pay . Base pay is determined based upon an analysis of the portfolio manager’s general performance, experience, and market levels of base pay for such position.
Annual cash bonus . Generally, portfolio managers are eligible for an annual cash bonus based on investment performance, qualitative evaluation and financial performance of Nuveen Asset Management.
A portion of each portfolio manager’s annual cash bonus is based on a fund’s pre-tax investment performance, generally measured over the past one- and three- or five-year periods unless the portfolio manager’s tenure is shorter. Investment performance for a fund generally is determined by evaluating the fund’s performance relative to its benchmark(s) and/or Lipper industry peer group.
A portion of the cash bonus is based on a qualitative evaluation made by each portfolio manager’s supervisor taking into consideration a number of factors, including the portfolio manager’s team collaboration, expense management, support of personnel responsible for asset growth, and his or her compliance with Nuveen Asset Management’s policies and procedures.
The final factor influencing a portfolio manager’s cash bonus is the financial performance of Nuveen Asset Management based on its operating earnings.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 136

 

Long-term incentive compensation . Certain key employees of Nuveen Asset Management, including certain portfolio managers, have received profits interests in Nuveen Asset Management which entitle their holders to participate in the firm’s growth over time.
Oppenheimer: The portfolio managers are employed and compensated by the Sub-Adviser or an affiliate, not by the Fund. Under Oppenheimer’s compensation program for portfolio managers and portfolio analysts, compensation is based primarily on the relative investment performance results of the funds or accounts they manage, rather than on the financial success of the Sub-Adviser. This is intended to align the interests of the portfolio managers and analysts with the success of the funds and accounts of their shareholders. The compensation structure is designed to attract and retain highly qualified investment management professionals and to reward individual and team contributions toward creating shareholder value. A portfolio manager’s compensation is not directly based on the total value of assets they manage; however, higher total compensation potential is likely to align with greater assets under management. The compensation structure is intended to be internally and externally equitable and serve to reduce potential conflicts of interest arising from a portfolio manager’s responsibilities managing different funds or accounts.
Portfolio manager compensation generally consists of three components: a base salary, an annual bonus, and eligibility to participate in long-term awards. In general, the average proportion of total compensation among these three components is as follows: base salary is 15%, annual bonus is 65%, and long-term awards are 20%.
The base pay component for each portfolio manager is reviewed regularly to ensure that it reflects the performance of the individual, is commensurate with the requirements of the particular portfolio, reflects any specific competence or specialty of the individual manager, and is competitive with other comparable positions.
The annual bonus is calculated based on two factors: a formulaic performance portion and a discretionary portion. In general, the formulaic performance portion is a much larger part of the annual bonus than the discretionary portion. The formulaic performance portion of the annual bonus is measured against the one, three and five year performance, or performance since inception, as applicable, of the fund(s) relative to an appropriate Morningstar peer group category selected by senior management. Performance is measured on a pre-tax basis. The compensation structure is weighted towards long-term performance of the funds, with one year performance weighted at 20%, three year performance rated at 30%, and five year performance weighted at 50%. This formula has the effect of rewarding consistently above median performance, which best aligns the interests of the portfolio manager and the shareholder. Below median performance in all three periods results in an extremely low, and in some cases no, formulaic performance based bonus.
The discretionary portion of the annual bonus is determined by senior management of the Sub-Adviser and is based on a number of factors, including, management quality (such as style consistency, risk management, sector coverage, team leadership and coaching), contributions to marketing efforts and organizational development.
Finally, the long-term award component consists of grants in the form of appreciation rights in regard to the common stock of the Sub-Adviser’s holding company parent, restricted shares of such common stock, as well as deferred cash investments in the fund(s) managed by a portfolio manager. Portfolio managers must elect to receive between 20% and 50% of their annual long-term award component in the form of a deferred cash award indexed to the portfolio(s) and fund(s) managed. These awards settle in cash at the end of a three-year vesting period. Through this long-term award component, the interests of the portfolio managers are further aligned with those of fund shareholders.
The compensation structure of other funds and/or accounts managed by a portfolio manager, if any, is generally the same as the compensation structure described above. A portfolio manager’s compensation with regard to other portfolios may be based on the performance of those portfolios compared to a peer group category that may be different from that described below.
The peer group category for the portfolio managers with respect to VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund is Morningstar – Foreign Large Growth.
SBH: SBH’s goal is to create an environment that promotes stability and ensures the alignment of employee incentives with clients’ interests. Compensation for investment professionals generally consists of base salary, profit sharing, and potential incentive compensation, as well as possible equity ownership in the firm.
Investment professionals are paid a salary that is competitive with industry standards, along with a team-based incentive bonus based on a combination of revenues derived from SBH’s strategies and individual performance. Individual incentive allocation is merit-based as determined by the portfolio manager, with final approval from the Chief Executive Officer.
SBH believes that revenue-based compensation encompasses all aspects of the overall results we deliver to our clients, including investment performance. Portfolio managers may also participate in SBH’s defined contribution retirement plan, which includes normal matching provisions in accordance with applicable tax regulations.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 137

 

T. Rowe Price : Portfolio manager compensation consists primarily of a base salary, a cash bonus, and an equity incentive that usually comes in the form of restricted stock grants. Compensation is variable and is determined based on the following factors.
Investment performance over 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods is the most important input. The weightings for these time periods are generally balanced and are applied consistently across similar strategies. T. Rowe Price (and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong, T. Rowe Price Singapore, T. Rowe Price Japan, and T. Rowe Price International, as appropriate), evaluates performance in absolute, relative, and risk-adjusted terms. Relative performance and risk-adjusted performance are typically determined with reference to the broad-based index (e.g., S&P 500 Index) and the Lipper index (e.g., Large-Cap Growth Index) set forth in the total returns table in the fund’s prospectus, although other benchmarks may be used as well. Investment results are also measured against comparably managed funds of competitive investment management firms. The selection of comparable funds is approved by the applicable investment steering committee and is the same as the selection presented to the directors of the T. Rowe Price Funds in their regular review of fund performance. Performance is primarily measured on a pretax basis although tax efficiency is considered.
Compensation is viewed with a long-term time horizon. The more consistent a manager’s performance over time, the higher the compensation opportunity. The increase or decrease in a fund’s assets due to the purchase or sale of fund shares is not considered a material factor. In reviewing relative performance for fixed-income funds, a fund’s expense ratio is usually taken into account. Contribution to T. Rowe Price’s overall investment process is an important consideration as well. Leveraging ideas and investment insights across the global investment platform, working effectively with and mentoring others, and other contributions to our clients, the firm or our culture are important components of T. Rowe Price’s long-term success and are generally taken into consideration.
All employees of T. Rowe Price, including portfolio managers, participate in a 401(k) plan sponsored by T. Rowe Price Group. In addition, all employees are eligible to purchase T. Rowe Price common stock through an employee stock purchase plan that features a limited corporate matching contribution. Eligibility for and participation in these plans is on the same basis for all employees. Finally, all vice presidents of T. Rowe Price Group, including all portfolio managers, receive supplemental medical/hospital reimbursement benefits and are eligible to participate in a supplemental savings plan sponsored by T. Rowe Price Group.
This compensation structure is used when evaluating the performance of all portfolios managed by the portfolio manager.
TCW: The overall objective of TCW’s compensation program for portfolio managers is to attract experienced and expert investment professionals and to retain them over the long-term. Compensation is comprised of several components which, in the aggregate, are designed to achieve these objectives and to reward the portfolio managers for their contributions to the successful performance of the accounts they manage. Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary, fee sharing based compensation (“fee sharing”), bonus and equity incentive participation in TCW’s parent company (“equity incentives”). Fee sharing and equity incentives generally represent most of the portfolio managers’ compensation. In some cases, portfolio managers are eligible for discretionary bonuses.
Salary. Salary is agreed to with portfolio managers at the time of employment and is reviewed from time to time. It does not change significantly and often does not constitute a significant part of a portfolio manager’s compensation.
Fee Sharing. Fee sharing for investment professionals is based on revenues generated by accounts in the investment strategy area for which the investment professionals are responsible. In most cases, revenues are allocated to a pool and fee sharing compensation is allocated among members of the investment team after the deduction of certain expenses (including compensation over a threshold level) related to the strategy group. The allocations are based on the investment professionals’ contribution to TCW and its clients, including qualitative and quantitative contributions.
In general, the same fee sharing percentage is used to compensate a portfolio manager for investment services related to a Fund is generally the same as that used to compensate portfolio managers for other client accounts in the same strategy managed by TCW or an affiliate of TCW (collectively, “the TCW Group”). In some cases, the fee sharing pool includes revenues related to more than one product, in which case each participant in the pool is entitled to fee sharing derived from his or her contributions to all the included products.
Investment professionals are not directly compensated for generating performance fees. In some cases, the overall fee sharing pool is subject to fluctuation based on the relative pre-tax performance of the investment strategy composite returns, net of fees and expenses, to that of the benchmark. The measurement of performance relative to the benchmark can be based on single year or multiple year metrics, or a combination thereof. The benchmark used is the one associated with the Fund managed by the portfolio manager as disclosed in the prospectus. Benchmarks vary from strategy to strategy but, within a given strategy, the same benchmark applies to all accounts, including the Funds.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 138

 

Discretionary Bonus/Guaranteed Minimums. Discretionary bonuses may be paid out of an investment team’s fee sharing pool, as determined by the supervisor(s) in the department. In other cases where portfolio managers do not receive fee sharing or where it is determined that the combination of salary and fee sharing does not adequately compensate the portfolio manager, discretionary bonuses may be paid by the applicable TCW entity. Also, pursuant to contractual arrangements, some portfolio managers received minimum bonuses.
Equity Incentives. Management believes that equity ownership aligns the interests of portfolio managers with the interests of the firm and its clients. Accordingly, TCW Group’s key investment professionals participate in equity incentives through ownership or participation in restricted unit plans that vest over time or unit appreciation plans of TCW’s parent company. The plans include the Fixed Income Retention Plan, Restricted Unit Plan and 2013 Equity Unit Incentive Plan.
Under the Fixed Income Retention Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income area were awarded cash and/or partnership units in TCW’s parent company, either on a contractually-determined basis or on a discretionary basis. Awards under this plan were made in 2010 that vest over time.
Under the Restricted Unit Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas may be awarded partnership units in TCW’s parent company. Awards under this plan have vested over time, subject to satisfaction of performance criteria.
Under the 2013 Equity Unit Incentive Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas may be awarded options to acquire partnership units in TCW’s parent company with a strike price equal to the fair market value of the option at the date of grant. The options granted under this plan are subject to vesting and other conditions.
Other Plans and Compensation Vehicles. Portfolio managers may also elect to participate in the applicable TCW Group’s 401(k) plan, to which they may contribute a portion of their pre- and post-tax compensation to the plan for investment on a tax-deferred basis.
  Threadneedle: Direct compensation is typically comprised of a base salary, and an annual incentive award that is paid either in the form of a cash bonus if the size of the award is under a specified threshold or, if the size of the award is over a specified threshold, the award is paid in a combination of a cash bonus, an equity incentive award, and fund-linked deferred compensation compliant with European regulatory requirements in its structure and delivery vehicles. Equity incentive awards are made in the form of Ameriprise Financial restricted stock, or for senior employees outside our fund management teams both Ameriprise Financial restricted stock and stock options. The investment return credited on deferred compensation is based on the performance of specified Threadneedle funds, in most cases including the funds the portfolio manager manages.
  Base salary is typically determined based on market data relevant to the employee’s position, as well as other factors including internal equity. Base salaries are reviewed annually, and increases are typically given as promotional increases, internal equity adjustments, or market adjustments.
  Annual incentive awards and pool funding are variable and are designed to reward:
Investment performance, both at the individual and team levels
Client requirements, in particular the alignment with clients through a mandatory deferral into the company’s own products, compliant with local regulation in particular the UCITS V requirements
Team cooperation and values
Individual awards are subject to a comprehensive risk adjustment review process to ensure proper reflection in remuneration of adherence to Threadneedle’s controls and Code of Conduct.
Scorecards are used to measure performance of Threadneedle funds and other accounts managed by the employee. Performance is measured versus peer or benchmark performance as appropriate, in addition to performance compared to unaffiliated passively managed ETFs, taking into consideration the management fees of comparable passively managed ETFs, when available and as determined by the Investment Manager. Performance is measured using 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year performance, weighted 10% on the 1-year, 60% on the 3-year, and 30% on the 5-year. Consideration may also be given to performance in managing client assets in sectors and industries assigned to the employee as part of his/her investment team responsibilities, where applicable.
Incentive compensation for senior investment professionals is subject to a minimum 40% deferral as required by local regulation, rising to 60% for higher awards. Half of that deferred portion is delivered in units linked to the performance of Threadneedle funds and the remainder through Ameriprise Financial equity plans.
The equity portion of those deferred incentive awards is designed to align participants’ interests with those of the shareholders of Ameriprise Financial. Equity incentive awards vest over multiple years, so they help retain employees.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 139

 

The fund-linked deferred compensation awards are designed to align participants’ interests with the investors in the funds and other accounts they manage, and to incentivize collaboration and idea-sharing across teams and products. The value of the deferral account is based on the performance of those funds. Employees have the option of selecting from various internal funds for their fund deferral account; a portion of this deferral is subject to mandatory allocation to Threadneedle’s multi-asset funds to drive cross-business idea sharing and alignment. Fund-linked deferrals vest over multiple years, so they help to retain employees and to align their longer-term interests with those of the investor in line with local regulatory best practice.
Exceptions to this general approach to bonuses exist for certain teams and individuals. Funding for the bonus pool is determined by management and overseen by the EMEA Remuneration Committee, and depends on, among other factors, the levels of compensation generally in the investment management industry taking into account investment performance (based on market compensation data) and both Ameriprise Financial and the asset management business profitability for the year, which is largely determined by assets under management.
For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same and are competitive within the Financial Services Industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Health Care, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, and retirement savings plans.
Victory Capital: Victory Capital states that it has designed the structure of its portfolio managers’ compensation to (1) align portfolio managers’ interests with those of Victory Capital’s clients with an emphasis on long-term, risk-adjusted investment performance, (2) help Victory Capital attract and retain high-quality investment professionals, and (3) contribute to Victory Capital’s overall financial success.
Each of the Victory Capital portfolio managers receives a base salary plus an annual incentive bonus for managing the Fund, separate accounts, other investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts (including any accounts for which Victory Capital receives a performance fee) (together, “Accounts”). Victory Capital states that a portfolio manager’s base salary is dependent on the manager’s level of experience and expertise. Victory Capital states that it monitors each manager’s base salary relative to salaries paid for similar positions with peer firms by reviewing data provided by various consultants that specialize in competitive salary information. Such data, however, is not considered to be a definitive benchmark. Each of the portfolio management teams employed by Victory Capital may earn incentive compensation based on a percentage of Victory Capital’s revenue attributable to fees paid by Accounts managed by the team. The chief investment officer of each team, in coordination with Victory Capital, determines the allocation of the incentive compensation earned by the team among the team’s portfolio managers by establishing a “target” incentive for each portfolio manager based on the manager’s level of experience and expertise in the manager’s investment style. Individual performance is based on objectives established annually using performance metrics such as portfolio structure and positioning, research, stock selection, asset growth, client retention, presentation skills, marketing to prospective clients and contribution to Victory Capital’s philosophy and values, such as leadership, risk management and teamwork. The annual incentive bonus also factors in individual investment performance of each portfolio manager’s portfolio or their Fund relative to a selected peer group(s). The overall performance results for a manager are based on the composite performance of all Accounts managed by that manager on a combination of one, three and five year rolling performance periods as compared to the performance information of a peer group of similarly-managed competitors.
Victory Capital states that its portfolio managers may participate in the equity ownership plan of Victory Capital’s parent company. There is an ongoing annual equity pool granted to certain employees based on their contribution to the firm. Eligibility for participation in these incentive programs depends on the manager’s performance and seniority.
WellsCap: The compensation structure for WellsCap's Portfolio Managers includes a competitive fixed base salary plus variable incentives, payable annually and over a longer term period. WellsCap participates in third party investment management compensation surveys for market-based compensation information to help support individual pay decisions. In addition to surveys, WellsCap also considers prior professional experience, tenure, seniority and a Portfolio Manager's team size, scope and assets under management when determining his/her fixed base salary. In addition, Portfolio Managers, who meet the eligibility requirements, may participate in Wells Fargo's 401(k) plan that features a limited matching contribution. Eligibility for and participation in this plan is on the same basis for all employees.
WellsCap’s investment incentive program plays an important role in aligning the interests of our portfolio managers, investment team members, clients and shareholders. Incentive awards for portfolio managers are determined based on a review of relative investment and business/team performance. Investment performance is generally evaluated for 1, 3, and 5 year performance results, with a predominant weighting on the 3- and 5- year time periods, versus the relevant benchmarks and/or peer groups consistent with the investment style. In the case of each Fund, the benchmark(s) against which the performance of the Fund's portfolio may be compared for these purposes generally are indicated in the "Average Annual Total Returns" table in the prospectus. Once determined, incentives are awarded to portfolio managers annually, with a portion awarded as annual cash and a portion awarded as long term incentive. The long term portion of incentives generally
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 140

 

carry a pro-rated vesting schedule over a three year period. For many of our portfolio managers, WellsCap further requires a portion of their annual long-term award be allocated directly into each strategy they manage through a deferred compensation vehicle. In addition, our investment team members who are eligible for long term awards also have the opportunity to invest up to 100% of their awards into investment strategies they support (through a deferred compensation vehicle).
Westfield: Members of Westfield’s Investment Committee (the “Investment Committee”) may be eligible to receive various components of compensation.
Investment Committee members receive a base salary commensurate with industry standards. This salary is reviewed annually during the employee’s performance assessment.
Investment Committee members also receive a performance based bonus award. This bonus award is determined and paid in December. The amount awarded is based on the employee’s individual performance attribution and overall contribution to the investment performance of Westfield. While the current calendar year is a primary focus, a rolling three year attribution summary is also considered when determining the bonus award.
Investment Committee members may be eligible to receive equity interests in the future profits of Westfield. Individual awards are typically determined by a member’s overall performance within the firm, including but not limited to contribution to company strategy, participation in marketing and client service initiatives, as well as longevity at the firm. The key members of Westfield’s management team who received equity interests in the firm enter into agreements restricting post-employment competition and solicitation of clients and employees of Westfield. This compensation is in addition to the base salary and performance based bonus. Equity interest grants typically vest over five years.
Investment Committee members may receive a portion of the performance-based fee earned from an account that is managed solely by Mr. Muggia. He has full discretion to grant such awards to any member of the Investment Committee.
The Administrator
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (which is also the Investment Manager) serves as administrator of the Funds.
Administrative Services Agreement
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date indicated in the Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Services Provided section above, each Fund, except VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, was party to the Investment Management Services Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement with the Investment Manager for advisory and administrative services, respectively. Each Fund party to these agreements paid the Investment Manager an annual fee for advisory services, as set forth in the Investment Management Services Agreement, and a separate fee for administrative services under the Administrative Services Agreement. See Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Investment Management Services Agreement for information with respect to the Investment Management Services Agreement. As of the Management Agreement Effective Date, these services have been combined under the Management Agreement as described in the Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers section.
Services Provided Under the Administrative Services Agreement
Pursuant to the terms of the Administrative Services Agreement, the Investment Manager has agreed to provide all of the services necessary for, or appropriate to, the business and effective operation of each Fund that are not (a) provided by employees or other agents engaged by the Fund or (b) required to be provided by any person pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement with the Fund.
Administrative Services Fee
Prior to the Management Agreement Effective Date, the administrative services fee was calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of each Fund and was paid monthly at the annual rates as set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement. VP – Core Equity Fund does not pay a fee for these services.
Administrative Services Fees Paid. The table below shows the total administrative services fees paid by each Fund under the Administrative Services Agreement for the last three fiscal periods. Amounts shown for the fiscal year ended 2016 are for the period from January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 141

 

Administrative Services Fees
  Administrative Services Fees
  2018 2017 2016
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – Aggressive Portfolio N/A N/A $196,215
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund N/A N/A 830,095
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund N/A N/A 526,683
VP – Balanced Fund N/A N/A 178,901
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund N/A N/A 31,894
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund N/A N/A 54,542
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund N/A N/A 66,048
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund N/A N/A 12,003
VP – Conservative Portfolio N/A N/A 100,909
VP – DFA International Value Fund N/A N/A 462,793
VP – Disciplined Core Fund N/A N/A 662,058
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund N/A N/A 298,754
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund N/A N/A 24,417
VP – Emerging Markets Fund N/A N/A 268,772
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund N/A N/A 48,458
VP – Government Money Market Fund N/A N/A 83,847
VP – High Yield Bond Fund N/A N/A 103,906
VP – Income Opportunities Fund N/A N/A 133,840
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund N/A N/A 986,459
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A 245,849
VP – Large Cap Index Fund N/A N/A 100,247
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund N/A N/A 200,617
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund N/A N/A 366,850
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A 239,496
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund N/A N/A 302,607
VP – MFS Value Fund N/A N/A 334,452
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A 57,512
VP – Moderate Portfolio N/A N/A 1,344,963
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio N/A N/A 670,640
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio N/A N/A 267,796
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund N/A N/A 207,409
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund N/A N/A 1,078,151
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund N/A N/A 542,705
VP – Overseas Core Fund N/A N/A 104,443
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund N/A N/A 681,516
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A 151,439
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund N/A N/A 277,140
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund N/A N/A 149,851
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund N/A N/A 24,374
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund N/A N/A 37,842
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund N/A N/A 28,465
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 142

 

  Administrative Services Fees
  2018 2017 2016
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund N/A N/A $335,207
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund N/A N/A 643,995
VP – U.S. Equities Fund N/A N/A 321,803
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund N/A N/A 301,143
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund N/A N/A 43,525
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund N/A N/A 260,536
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund N/A N/A 43,542
The Distributor
Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial and an affiliate of the Investment Manager, serves as the principal underwriter and distributor for the continuous offering of shares of the Funds pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Distribution Agreement obligates the Distributor to use reasonable efforts to find purchasers for the shares of the Funds.
Distribution Obligations
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, as agent, sells shares of the Funds on a continuous basis and transmits purchase and redemption orders that it receives to the Trust or the Transfer Agent, or their designated agents. Additionally, the Distributor has agreed to use reasonable efforts to solicit orders for the sale of shares and to undertake advertising and promotion as it believes appropriate in connection with such solicitation. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, at its own expense, finances those activities as it deems reasonable and which are primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, advertising, compensation of underwriters, dealers and sales personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than existing shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. The Distributor, however, may be compensated or reimbursed for all or a portion of such expenses to the extent permitted by a Distribution Plan adopted by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. See Investment Management and Other Services – Distribution and/or Servicing Plans for more information about the share classes for which the Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan.
See Investment Management and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest for more information about conflicts of interest, including those that relate to the Investment Manager and its affiliates.
The Distribution Agreement became effective with respect to each Fund after approval by its Board, and, after an initial two-year period, continues from year to year, provided that such continuation of the Distribution Agreement is specifically approved at least annually by the Board, including its Independent Trustees. The Distribution Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable with respect to each Fund at any time without penalty by the Trust (by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund) or by the Distributor on 60 days’ written notice.
Underwriting Commissions Paid by the Funds
As no class of any Fund is subject to a sales charge, there were no sales charges paid to, or retained by, the Distributor for the three most recently completed fiscal years.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 143

 

Distribution and/or Servicing Plans
The Trustees have adopted distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans for certain share classes. See the cover of this SAI for the share classes offered by the Funds.
The table below shows the annual distribution and/or services fees (payable monthly and calculated based on an annual percentage of average daily net assets) and the combined amount of such fees applicable to each share class. VP – Core Equity Fund does not pay a fee for these services. The Trust is not aware as to what amount, if any, of the distribution and service fees paid to the Distributor were, on a Fund-by-Fund basis, used for advertising, printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders, compensation to broker-dealers, compensation to sales personnel, or interest, carrying or other financing charges.
Share Class Distribution Fee Service Fee Combined Total
Class 1 None None None
Class 2 Up to 0.25% 0.00% Up to 0.25%
Class 3 Up to 0.125% 0.00% Up to 0.125%
Class 4 Up to 0.25% 0.00% Up to 0.25%
The distribution and/or shareholder service fees for Class 2, Class 3 and Class 4 shares, as applicable, are to reimburse the Distributor for certain expenses it incurs in connection with distributing the Fund’s shares or directly or indirectly providing services to Fund shareholders. These payments or expenses include providing distribution and/or shareholder service fees to financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund or provide services to Fund shareholders. The Distributor may retain these fees otherwise payable to financial intermediaries if the amounts due are below an amount determined by the Distributor in its discretion. The maximum fee for services under the plan for series of CFVST II is the lesser of the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement (including any unreimbursed expenses) and the rate set forth in the table above. If the flat rate exceeds the expenses eligible for reimbursement, then the maximum Rule 12b-1 fee amount accrued for such share class is applied on a going forward basis to reflect the actual amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement for the prior quarter. Similarly, if the flat rate is less than expenses eligible for reimbursement, then the flat rate will be the maximum Rule 12b-1 fee amount on a going forward basis. This determination and calculation is re-applied each subsequent quarter.
The Funds pay a non-Rule 12b-1 service fee to Participating Insurance Companies or other financial intermediaries that provide sub-recordkeeping and other services to Contract owners, Qualified Plan participants and the Separate Accounts.
Fees Paid
The table below shows the distribution and/or servicing fees paid by each Fund, other than VP – Core Equity Fund, during the Fund's last fiscal year (or period).
Rule 12b-1 Fees
Fund Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – Aggressive Portfolio N/A $3,726,762 N/A $3,223,875
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund $0 31,224 N/A N/A
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund 0 20,808 N/A N/A
VP – Balanced Fund 0 8 $1,405,706 N/A
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund 0 38,969 130,693 N/A
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund 0 63,976 N/A N/A
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund 0 104,570 N/A N/A
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund 0 41,387 N/A N/A
VP – Conservative Portfolio N/A 1,233,267 N/A 1,615,384
VP – Core Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A N/A
VP – DFA International Value Fund 0 53,920 N/A N/A
VP – Disciplined Core Fund 0 67,865 1,641,643 N/A
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund 0 168,279 1,093,610 N/A
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund 0 270,580 N/A N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 144

 

Fund Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4
VP – Emerging Markets Fund $0 $118,650 $273,466 N/A
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund 0 24,616 149,374 N/A
VP – Government Money Market Fund 0 108,118 266,601 N/A
VP – High Yield Bond Fund 0 148,439 408,559 N/A
VP – Income Opportunities Fund 0 88,761 219,930 N/A
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund 0 93,524 707,910 N/A
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund 0 308,951 291,921 N/A
VP – Large Cap Index Fund 0 29,062 591,741 N/A
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund 0 103,935 N/A N/A
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund 0 121,447 N/A N/A
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund 0 28,971 N/A N/A
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund 0 26,792 48,735 N/A
VP – MFS Value Fund 0 124,872 N/A N/A
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund 0 51,533 336,139 N/A
VP – Moderate Portfolio N/A 20,074,843 N/A $25,950,396
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio N/A 11,435,985 N/A 10,743,351
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio N/A 3,624,123 N/A 4,545,144
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund 0 30,407 N/A N/A
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund N/A (a) 37,022,391 N/A N/A
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund 0 85,113 N/A N/A
VP – Overseas Core Fund 0 155,799 358,015 N/A
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund 0 24,999 N/A N/A
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 0 21,848 N/A N/A
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund 0 18,560 140,827 N/A
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund (b) 0 6 N/A N/A
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund 0 62,451 70,079 N/A
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund 0 73,025 96,410 N/A
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund 0 70,845 80,998 N/A
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund 0 118,211 N/A N/A
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund 0 48,870 N/A N/A
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 0 18,515 N/A N/A
VP – U.S. Equities Fund 0 43,031 N/A N/A
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 0 59,001 135,634 N/A
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund 0 108,385 74,402 N/A
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund 0 54,029 N/A N/A
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund 0 51,687 N/A N/A
(a) Class 1 shares for the Fund became available for purchase on February 23, 2019, and therefore has no reporting information for periods prior to such date.
(b) For the period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 145

 

Other Services Provided
The Transfer Agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. is the transfer agent for the Funds. The Transfer Agent is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Transfer Agent provides transfer agency, dividend disbursing agency and shareholder servicing agency services to the Funds.
The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues for fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Funds. The fees paid to the Transfer Agent may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.
The Transfer Agent retains DST, 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169 as the Funds’ sub-transfer agent. DST assists the Transfer Agent in carrying out its duties.
Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Funds bear a service fee paid to Participating Insurance Companies and other financial intermediaries that provide shareholder services with respect to Contracts, Qualified Plans or other owners of Fund shares. For more information on this service fee, see Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments .
Prior to July 1, 2017, the Funds paid the Transfer Agent a fee equal to 0.06% of the net assets of the Funds, with certain exceptions: VP - Core Equity Fund did not pay a direct fee for transfer agency services; VP - MV Moderate Growth Fund and the VP - Portfolio Navigator Funds then in operation did not pay a direct fee for transfer agency services on the portion of assets invested in underlying funds that paid a transfer agency fee to the Transfer Agent; however, the Transfer Agent earned a fee from such Funds equal to 0.06% of their average daily net assets directly invested in securities (other than underlying mutual funds that paid a transfer agency fee to the Transfer Agent), including other funds that did not pay a transfer agency fee to the Transfer Agent, ETFs, derivatives and individual securities. As of July 1, 2017, or the date of the Fund’s commencement of operations, if later, each of VP - Core Equity Fund, VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund and the VP – Portfolio Navigator Funds bear the service fee.
The Custodian
The Funds' securities and cash are held pursuant to a custodian agreement with JPMorgan, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10005. JPMorgan is responsible for safeguarding the Funds' cash and securities, receiving and delivering securities and collecting the Funds' interest and dividends. The custodian is permitted to deposit some or all of its securities in central depository systems as allowed by federal law. For its services, each Fund pays its custodian a maintenance charge and a charge per transaction in addition to reimbursing the custodian’s out-of-pocket expenses.
As part of this arrangement, securities purchased outside the United States are maintained in the custody of various foreign branches of JPMorgan or in other financial institutions as permitted by law and by the Funds' custodian agreement.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PwC, which is located at 45 South Seventh Street, Suite 3400, Minneapolis, MN 55402, is the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm. The financial statements contained in each Fund’s Annual Report were audited by PwC. The Board has selected PwC as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Funds' books and review their tax returns for their respective fiscal years.
The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the audited financial statements are included in the annual report to shareholders of each Fund, and are incorporated herein by reference. No other parts of the annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders are incorporated by reference herein. The audited financial statements incorporated by reference into the Funds' prospectuses and this SAI have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, given on its authority as an expert in auditing and accounting.
Counsel
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP serves as counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Trust. Its address is 1177 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. Goodwin Procter LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. Its address is 901 New York Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20001.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 146

 

Expense Limitations
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse certain expenses, subject to certain exclusions described in a Fund’s prospectus, so that certain Funds’ net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed specified rates for specified time periods, also as described in a Fund’s prospectus.
The table below shows the total Fund level expenses reimbursed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates for the last three fiscal periods.
Expenses Reimbursed
  Amounts Reimbursed
  2018 2017 2016
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – Aggressive Portfolio $0 $0 $0
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund 0 0 0
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund 0 0 85,520
VP – Balanced Fund 348,036 285,453 0
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund 104,233 117,830 42,878
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund 0 0 39,948
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund 133,824 153,640 192,512
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund 0 0 0
VP – Conservative Portfolio 30,349 0 0
VP – Core Equity Fund 89,679 104,879 96,995
VP – DFA International Value Fund 0 0 0
VP – Disciplined Core Fund 0 0 0
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund 95,533 0 0
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund 0 0 0
VP – Emerging Markets Fund 14,894 93,744 170,959
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund 268,853 259,620 176,653
VP – Government Money Market Fund 527,207 156,567 158,398
VP – High Yield Bond Fund 104,632 4,486 3,805
VP – Income Opportunities Fund 49,400 0 32,940
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund 0 0 0
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund 0 138,527 419,957
VP – Large Cap Index Fund 0 0 152
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund 0 0 30,446
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund 0 0 0
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund 0 0 0
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund 193,950 15,574 416,495
VP – MFS Value Fund 0 0 0
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund 730,049 764,057 603,519
VP – Moderate Portfolio 0 0 0
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio 0 0 0
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio 92,397 0 0
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund 0 0 0
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund 0 0 0
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund 0 0 0
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 147

 

  Amounts Reimbursed
  2018 2017 2016
VP – Overseas Core Fund $0 $102,181 $291,335
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund 0 0 147,474
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 58,245 0 240,533
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund 20,827 0 806,684
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund 404,618 (a) N/A N/A
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund 0 101,722 434,546
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund 110,229 128,245 69,311
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund 156,773 156,295 139,230
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund 50,702 103,560 189,274
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund 0 0 0
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 0 0 0
VP – U.S. Equities Fund 0 0 0
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 0 0 0
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund 0 112 88,937
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund 0 0 42,652
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund 18,547 0 73,443
(a) For the period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018.
The table below shows the total fees waived by the Investment Manager and its affiliates for the last three fiscal periods. If a Fund is not shown, there were no fees waived for the relevant fiscal periods.
Fees Waived
  Fees Waived
  2018 2017 2016
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – Government Money Market Fund $0 $0 $768,175
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 0 0 248,634
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and Its Affiliates —
Certain Conflicts of Interest
As described above in the Investment Management and Other Services section of this SAI, and in the More Information About the Fund – Primary Service Providers section of each Fund's prospectus, the Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, all affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, receive compensation from the Funds for the various services they provide to the Funds. Additional information as to the specific terms regarding such compensation is set forth in these affiliated service providers’ contracts with the Funds, each of which typically is included as an exhibit to Part C of each Fund's registration statement.
In many instances, the compensation paid to the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates for the services they provide to the Funds is based, in some manner, on the size of the Funds' assets under management. As the size of the Funds' assets under management grows, so does the amount of compensation paid to the Investment Manager and, as the case may be, other Ameriprise Financial affiliates for providing services to the Funds. This relationship between Fund assets and any affiliated service provider compensation may create economic and other conflicts of interests of which Fund investors should be aware. These potential conflicts of interest, as well as additional ones, are discussed in detail below and also are addressed in other disclosure materials, including the Funds' prospectuses. Many of these conflicts of interest also are highlighted in account documentation and other disclosure materials of Ameriprise Financial affiliates that make available or offer the Columbia Funds as investments in connection with their respective products and services. In addition, Parts 1A and 2A of the Investment Manager’s Form ADV, which it must file with the SEC as an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, provide information about the Investment Manager’s business, assets under management, affiliates and potential conflicts of interest. Parts 1A and 2A of the Investment Manager’s Form ADV are available online through the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 148

 

The Board monitors events to identify any material conflicts that may arise between the interests of the Participating Insurance Companies or between the interests of owners of variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies, or participants in Qualified Plans. The Trust currently does not foresee any disadvantages to the owners of variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies or participants in Qualified Plans arising from the fact that certain interests of owners may differ.
Additional actual or potential conflicts of interest and certain investment activity limitations that could affect the Funds may arise from the financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including, for example, the investment advisory/management services provided for clients and customers other than the Funds. Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates are engaged in a wide range of financial activities beyond the fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, insurance and other financial activities. The broad range of financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may involve multiple advisory, transactional, lending, financial and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies, that may be bought, sold or held by the Funds. The following describes certain actual and potential conflicts of interest that may be presented.
Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to the Investment Advisory/Management Activities of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates in Connection With Other Advised/Managed Funds and Accounts
The Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other affiliates of Ameriprise Financial may advise or manage funds and accounts other than the Funds. In this regard, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may provide investment advisory/management and other services to other advised/managed funds and accounts that are similar to those provided to the Funds. The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial’s other investment adviser affiliates (including, for example, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC) will give investment advice to and make investment decisions for advised/managed funds and accounts, including the Funds, as they believe to be in that fund’s and/or account’s best interests, consistent with their fiduciary duties. The Funds and the other advised/managed funds and accounts of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates are separately and potentially divergently managed, and there is no assurance that any investment advice Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates give to other advised/managed funds and accounts will also be given simultaneously or otherwise to the Funds.
A variety of other actual and potential conflicts of interest may arise from the advisory relationships of the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates with other clients and customers. Advice given to the Funds and/or investment decisions made for the Funds by the Investment Manager or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may differ from, or may conflict with, advice given to and/or investment decisions made by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates for other advised/managed funds and accounts. As a result, the performance of the Funds may differ from the performance of other funds or accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates. Similarly, a position taken by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, on behalf of other funds or accounts may be contrary to a position taken on behalf of the Funds. Moreover, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, may take a position on behalf of other advised/managed funds and accounts, or for their own proprietary accounts, that is adverse to companies or other issuers in which the Funds are invested. For example, the Funds may hold equity securities of a company while another advised/managed fund or account may hold debt securities of the same company. If the portfolio company were to experience financial difficulties, it might be in the best interest of the Funds for the company to reorganize while the interests of the other advised/managed fund or account might be better served by the liquidation of the company. This type of conflict of interest could arise as the result of circumstances that cannot be generally foreseen within the broad range of investment advisory/management activities in which Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates engage.
Investment transactions made on behalf of other funds or accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates also may have a negative effect on the value, price or investment strategies of the Funds. For example, this could occur if another advised/managed fund or account implements an investment decision ahead of, or at the same time as, the Funds and causes the Funds to experience less favorable trading results than they otherwise would have experienced based on market liquidity factors. In addition, the other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, including the other Columbia Funds and accounts of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may have the same or very similar investment objective and strategies as the Funds. In this situation, the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Funds and other funds and/or accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may create conflicts of interest especially where, for example, limited investment availability is involved. The Investment Manager has adopted policies and procedures designed to address the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other funds and accounts advised by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial and other affiliates of Ameriprise Financial. For more information, see Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Portfolio Managers – Potential Conflicts of Interest .
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 149

 

Sharing of Information among Advised/Managed Accounts
Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, also may possess information that could be material to the management of a Fund and may not be able to, or may determine not to, share that information with the Fund, even though the information might be beneficial to the Fund. This information may include actual knowledge regarding the particular investments and transactions of other advised/managed funds and accounts, as well as proprietary investment, trading and other market research, analytical and technical models, and new investment techniques, strategies and opportunities. Depending on the context, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates generally will have no obligation to share any such information with the Funds. In general, employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the portfolio managers of the Investment Manager, will make investment decisions without regard to information otherwise known by other employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, and generally will have no obligation to access any such information and may, in some instances, not be able to access such information because of legal and regulatory constraints or the internal policies and procedures of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. For example, if the Investment Manager or another Ameriprise Financial affiliate, or their respective employees, come into possession of non-public information regarding another advised/managed fund or account, they may be prohibited by legal and regulatory constraints, or internal policies and procedures, from using that information in connection with transactions made on behalf of the Funds. For more information, see Investment Management and Other Services – The Investment Manager and Subadvisers – Portfolio Managers – Potential Conflicts of Interest .
Conflicts of Interest Relating to Long/Short funds’ Published Research on Short Positions
Certain long/short funds managed by the Investment Manager may accumulate a short position in the equity of a specific issuer (including entering into derivatives that reference the equity of an issuer), and following the accumulation of the position, the investment team managing such funds may publish research or make a public announcement of their research findings, which could be perceived by investors as reasons to reevaluate the target issuer, possibly in ways that result in a generally negative change in sentiment toward the issuer. These public announcements may disclose findings of, among other things, questionable accounting or suspect business practices. Subject to regulatory limitations, the investment team managing the long/short funds anticipate sharing such research or research findings with other investment advisory personnel of the Investment Manager, its U.S. affiliates and non-U.S. affiliates (collectively, “Advisory Affiliates”) that own the equity of the target issuer prior to publication. The accounts managed by the investment team publishing the research report or making a public announcement as well as accounts managed by Advisory Affiliates may have a long, neutral or short position in such target issuer’s stock or other securities and instruments; in addition, accounts managed by Advisory Affiliates may have different opinions concerning such target issuer than those expressed in the published research or research findings. Furthermore, accounts managed by the investment team publishing the research report or making a public announcement as well as accounts managed by Advisory Affiliates may trade in the same securities or instruments of the target issuer at the same time, in the same or opposite direction or in a different sequence as the long/short funds that hold a short position in the issuer that is the subject of the published research report or public announcement. To the extent that client accounts begin to sell any long positions or establish short positions in the subject issuer, the long/short funds may benefit from that activity.
Soft Dollar Benefits
Certain products and services, commonly referred to as “soft dollar services” (including, to the extent permitted by law, research reports, economic and financial data, financial publications, proxy analysis, computer databases and other research-oriented materials), that the Investment Manager may receive in connection with brokerage services provided to a Fund may have the inadvertent effect of disproportionately benefiting other advised/managed funds or accounts. This could happen because of the relative amount of brokerage services provided to a Fund as compared to other advised/managed funds or accounts, as well as the relative compensation paid by a Fund. It is possible that the Investment Manager or an investment subadviser subject to the recent revisions to the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive ("MiFID II") will cause a Fund to pay for research services with soft dollars in circumstances where it may not use soft dollars with respect to other advised/managed funds or accounts, although those other advised/managed funds or accounts might nonetheless benefit from those research services.
Services Provided to Other Advised/Managed Accounts
Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent, also may act as an investment adviser, investment manager, administrator, transfer agent, custodian, trustee, broker-dealer, agent, or in another capacity, for advised/managed funds and accounts other than the Funds, and may receive compensation for acting in such capacity. This compensation that the Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates receive could be greater than the compensation Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates receive for acting in the same or similar capacity for the Funds. In addition, the Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer Agent and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may receive other benefits, including enhancement of new or existing business relationships. This compensation and/or the benefits that Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may receive from other advised/managed funds and accounts and other relationships could potentially create incentives to favor other advised/managed funds and accounts over the Funds. Trades made by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates for the Funds may be, but are not required to be, aggregated with
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 150

 

trades made for other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates. If trades are aggregated among the Funds and those other funds and accounts, the various prices of the securities being traded may be averaged, which could have the potential effect of disadvantaging the Funds as compared to the other funds and accounts with which trades were aggregated.
Proxy Voting
The Investment Manager has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures that are designed to provide that all proxy voting is done in the best economic interests of its clients, including the Funds, without regard to any resulting benefit or detriment to the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Although the Investment Manager endeavors to make all proxy voting decisions with respect to the interests of the Funds for which it is responsible in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures, the Investment Manager’s proxy voting decisions with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities may or may not benefit Ameriprise Financial or other affiliates of the Investment Manager or other advised/managed funds and accounts, and/or clients, of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. For more information about the Funds' proxy voting policies and procedures, see Investment Management and Other Services – Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures .
Certain Trading Activities
The directors/trustees, officers and employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts, and in doing so may take a position that is adverse to the Funds. In order to reduce the possibility that such personal investment activities of the directors/trustees, officers and employees of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates will materially adversely affect the Funds, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates have adopted policies and procedures, and the Funds, the Board, the Investment Manager and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics that addresses such personal investment activities. For more information, see Investment Management and Other Services – Codes of Ethics .
Affiliate Transactions
Subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, a Fund may enter into transactions in which Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates, or companies that are deemed to be affiliates of a Fund because of, among other factors, their or their affiliates’ ownership or control of shares of the Fund, may have an interest that potentially conflicts with the interests of the Fund. For example, an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial may sell securities to a Fund from an offering in which it is an underwriter or that it owns as a dealer, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Applicable legal and regulatory requirements also may prevent a Fund from engaging in transactions with an affiliate of the Fund, which may include Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, or from participating in an investment opportunity in which an affiliate of a Fund participates.
Certain Investment Limitations
Regulatory and other restrictions may limit a Fund’s investment activities in various ways. For example, certain securities may be subject to ownership limitations due to regulatory limits on investments in certain industries (such as, for example, banking and insurance) and markets (such as emerging or international markets), or certain transactions (such as those involving certain derivatives or other instruments) or mechanisms imposed by certain issuers (such as, among others, poison pills). Certain of these restrictions may impose limits on the aggregate amount of investments that may be made by affiliated investors in the aggregate or in individual issuers. In these circumstances, the Investment Manager may be prevented from acquiring securities for a Fund (that it might otherwise prefer to acquire) if the acquisition would cause the Fund and its affiliated investors to exceed an applicable limit. These types of regulatory and other applicable limits are complex and vary significantly in different contexts including, among others, from country to country, industry to industry and issuer to issuer. The Investment Manager has policies and procedures designed to monitor and interpret these limits. Nonetheless, given the complexity of these limits, the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates may inadvertently breach these limits, and a Fund may therefore be required to sell securities that it might otherwise prefer to hold in order to comply with such limits. In addition, aggregate ownership limitations could cause performance dispersion among funds and accounts managed by the Investment Manager with similar investment objectives and strategies and portfolio management teams. For example, if further purchases in an issuer are restricted due to regulatory or other reasons, a portfolio manager would not be able to acquire securities or other assets of an issuer for a new Fund that may already be held by other funds and accounts with the same/similar investment objectives and strategies that are managed by the same portfolio management team. The Investment Manager may also choose to limit purchases in an issuer to a certain threshold for risk management purposes. If the holdings of the Investment Manager’s affiliates are included in that limitation, a Fund may be more limited in its ability to purchase a particular security or other asset than if the holdings of the Investment Manager’s affiliates had been excluded from the limitation. At certain times, a Fund may be restricted in its investment activities because of relationships that an affiliate of the Fund, which may include Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may have with the issuers of securities. This could happen, for example, if a Fund desired to buy a security issued by a company for which Ameriprise Financial or an affiliate serves as underwriter. A Fund may also be limited in certain investments because Ameriprise Financial, a financial holding company, is subject to certain banking regulatory requirements which may in some cases apply to the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 151

 

Investment Manager’s investments for the funds and accounts, including the Funds, it manages. In any of these scenarios, a Fund’s inability to participate (or participate further) in a particular investment, despite a portfolio manager’s desire to so participate, may negatively impact Fund performance. The internal policies and procedures of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates covering these types of restrictions and addressing similar issues also may at times restrict a Fund’s investment activities. See also About Fund Investments – Certain Investment Activity Limits .
Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates’ Non-Advisory Relationships with Clients and Customers other than the Funds
The financial relationships that Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may have with companies and other entities in which a Fund may invest can give rise to actual and potential conflicts of interest. Subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, a Fund may invest (a) in the securities of Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates and/or in companies in which Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates have an equity, debt or other interest, and/or (b) in the securities of companies held by other Columbia Funds. The purchase, holding and sale of such securities by a Fund may enhance the profitability and the business interests of Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates and/or other Columbia Funds. There also may be limitations as to the sharing with the Investment Manager of information derived from the non-investment advisory/management activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates because of legal and regulatory constraints and internal policies and procedures (such as information barriers and ethical walls). Because of these limitations, Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates generally will not share information derived from its non-investment advisory/management activities with the Investment Manager.
Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to Ameriprise Financial Affiliates’ Marketing and Use of the Columbia Funds as Investment Options
Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates also provide a variety of products and services that, in some manner, may utilize the Columbia Funds as investment options. For example, the Columbia Funds may be offered as investments in connection with brokerage and other securities products offered by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, and may be utilized as investments in connection with fiduciary, investment management and other accounts offered by affiliates of Ameriprise Financial, as well as for other Columbia Funds structured as “funds-of-funds.” The use of the Columbia Funds in connection with other products and services offered by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may introduce economic and other conflicts of interest. These conflicts of interest are highlighted in account documentation and other disclosure materials for the other products and services offered by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, may, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, make payments to their affiliates in connection with the promotion and sale of the Funds' shares, in addition to the sales-related and other compensation that these parties may receive from the Funds, if any. As a general matter, personnel of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates do not receive compensation in connection with their sales or use of the Funds that is greater than that paid in connection with their sales of other comparable products and services. Nonetheless, because the compensation that the Investment Manager and other affiliates of Ameriprise Financial may receive for providing services to the Funds is generally based on the Funds' assets under management and those assets will grow as shares of the Funds are sold, potential conflicts of interest may exist. See Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments and Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries for more information.
Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to Affiliated Indexes
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may develop, own and operate stock market and other indexes (each, an Affiliated Index) based on investment and trading strategies developed by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates (Affiliated Index Strategies). Some of the ETFs for which Columbia Management acts as investment adviser (the Affiliated Index ETFs) seek to track the performance of the Affiliated Indexes. The Investment Manager and/or its affiliates may, from time to time, manage other funds or accounts that invest in these Affiliated Index ETFs. In the future, the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates may manage client accounts that track the same Affiliated Indexes used by the Affiliated Index ETFs or which are based on the same, or substantially similar, Affiliated Index Strategies that are used in the operation of the Affiliated Indexes and the Affiliated Index ETFs. The operation of the Affiliated Indexes, the Affiliated Index ETFs and other accounts managed in this manner may give rise to potential conflicts of interest.
For example, any accounts managed by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates that seek to track the same Affiliated Indexes may engage in purchases and sales of securities at different times. These differences may result in certain accounts having more favorable performance relative to that of the Affiliated Index or other accounts that seek to track the Affiliated Index. Other potential conflicts include (i) the potential for unauthorized access to Affiliated Index information, allowing Affiliated Index changes that benefit the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates or other accounts managed by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates and not the clients in the accounts seeking to track the Affiliated Index, and (ii) the manipulation of Affiliated Index pricing to present the performance of accounts seeking to track the Affiliated Index, or the firm’s tracking ability, in a preferential light.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 152

 

The Investment Manager has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to address potential conflicts that may arise in connection with the operation of the Affiliated Indexes, the Affiliated Index ETFs and other accounts.
To the extent it is intended that an account managed by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates seeks to track an Affiliated Index, the account may not match (performance or holdings), and may vary substantially from, such index for any period of time. An account that seeks to track an index may purchase, hold and sell securities at times when another client would not do so. The Investment Manager and its affiliates do not guarantee that any tracking error targets will be achieved. Accounts managed by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates that seek to track an index may be negatively impacted by errors in the index, either as a result of calculation errors, inaccurate data sources or otherwise. The Investment Manager and its affiliates do not guarantee the timeliness, accuracy and/or completeness of an index and are not responsible for errors, omissions or interruptions in the index (including when the Investment Manager or an affiliate acts as the index provider) or the calculation thereof (including when the Investment Manager or an affiliate acts as the calculation agent).
The Investment Manager and its affiliates are not obligated to license the Affiliated Indexes to clients or other third-parties.
Codes of Ethics
The Funds, the Investment Manager, the subadvisers and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act, including Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. These Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be bought or held by the Funds. These Codes of Ethics are included as exhibits to Part C of the Funds' registration statement. These Codes of Ethics are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and copies of these Codes of Ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
General . The Funds have delegated to the Investment Manager the responsibility to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds, including Funds managed by subadvisers. In deciding to delegate this responsibility to the Investment Manager, the Board reviewed the policies adopted by the Investment Manager. These included the procedures that the Investment Manager follows when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the Funds and their shareholders and the Investment Manager and its affiliates.
The Investment Manager’s policy is to vote all proxies for Fund securities in a manner considered by the Investment Manager to be in the best economic interests of its clients, including the Funds, without regard to any benefit or detriment to the Investment Manager, its employees or its affiliates. The best economic interests of clients is defined for this purpose as the interest of enhancing or protecting the value of client accounts, considered as a group rather than individually, as the Investment Manager determines in its discretion. The Investment Manager endeavors to vote all proxies of which it becomes aware prior to the vote deadline; provided, however, that in certain circumstances the Investment Manager may refrain from voting securities. For instance, the Investment Manager may refrain from voting foreign securities if it determines that the costs of voting outweigh the expected benefits of voting and typically will not vote securities if voting would impose trading restrictions.
The Board may, in its discretion, vote proxies for the Funds. For instance, the Board may determine to vote on matters that may present a material conflict of interest to the Investment Manager.
Oversight. The operation of the Investment Manager’s proxy voting policy and procedures is overseen by a committee (the Proxy Voting Committee) composed of representatives of the Investment Manager’s equity investments, equity research, responsible investment, compliance, legal and operations functions. The Proxy Voting Committee has the responsibility to review, at least annually, the Investment Manager’s proxy voting policies to ensure consistency with internal policies, regulatory requirements, conflicts of interest and client disclosures. The Board reviews on an annual basis, or more frequently as determined appropriate, the Investment Manager’s administration of the proxy voting process.
Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Principles (the Principles). The Investment Manager has adopted the Principles, which set out the Investment Manager’s views on key issues and the broad principles shaping its approach, as well as the types of related voting action the Investment Manager may take. The Principles also provide indicative examples of key guidelines used in any given region, which illustrate the standards against which voting decisions are considered. The Investment Manager has developed voting stances that align with the Principles and will generally vote in accordance with such voting stances. The Proxy Voting Committee or investment professionals may determine to vote differently from the voting stances on particular proposals in the event it determines that doing so is in the clients’ best economic interests. The Investment Manager may also consider the voting recommendations of analysts, portfolio managers, subadvisers and information obtained from outside resources, including one or more third party research providers. When proposals are not covered by the voting stances or a voting determination must be made on a case-by-case basis, a portfolio manager, subadviser or analyst will make the voting determination based on his or her determination of the clients’ best economic interests; provided, however, for securities held in
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 153

 

Funds managed in traditional index or certain quantitative strategies and not in any other fund or account managed by the Investment Manager, proxies will generally be voted in accordance with the recommendation of a third party research provider if the proposal is not covered by a voting stance or a voting determination must be made on a case-by-case basis. In addition, the Proxy Voting Committee may determine proxy votes when proposals require special consideration.
Addressing Conflicts of Interest. The Investment Manager seeks to address potential material conflicts of interest by voting in accordance with predetermined voting stances. In addition, if the Investment Manager determines that a material conflict of interest exists, the Investment Manager will invoke one or more of the following conflict management practices: (i) causing the proxies to be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party (which may be the Investment Manager’s proxy voting administrator or research provider); (ii) causing the proxies to be delegated to an independent third party (which may be the Investment Manager’s proxy voting administrator or research provider); and (iii) in infrequent cases, forwarding the proxies to an Independent Trustee authorized to vote the proxies for the Funds. A member of the Proxy Voting Committee is prohibited from voting on any proposal for which he or she has a conflict of interest by reason of a direct relationship with the issuer or other party affected by a given proposal. Persons making recommendations to the Proxy Voting Committee or its members are required to disclose to the committee any relationship with a party making a proposal or other matter known to the person that would create a potential conflict of interest.
Voting Proxies of Affiliated Underlying Funds. Certain Funds may invest in shares of other Columbia Funds (referred to in this context as “underlying funds”) and may own substantial portions of these underlying funds. If such Funds are in a master-feeder structure, the feeder fund will either seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of proxies with respect to the master fund’s shares and vote such proxies in accordance with such instructions or vote the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other master fund shareholders. With respect to Funds that hold shares of underlying funds other than in a master-feeder structure, the holding Funds will typically vote proxies of the underlying funds in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of the underlying fund’s shares, unless the Board otherwise instructs.
Proxy Voting Agents. The Investment Manager has retained Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a third-party vendor, as its proxy voting administrator to implement its proxy voting process and to provide recordkeeping and vote disclosure services. The Investment Manager has retained both Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass Lewis & Company, LLC to provide proxy research services.
Additional Information. Information regarding how the Columbia Funds (except certain Columbia Funds that do not invest in voting securities) voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 will be available by August 31 of this year free of charge: (i) through the Columbia Funds’ website at columbiathreadneedleus.com and/or (ii) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. For a copy of the Investment Manager’s Principles in effect on the date of this SAI, see Appendix B to this SAI.
Organization and Management of Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund (for purposes of this section, referred to as a “Fund”) may invest a portion of its assets, within the limitations of Subchapter M and Section 817(h) of the Code, as applicable, in one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (previously defined collectively as the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, whose registered office is located at P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman Islands.
The Subsidiary is overseen by its own board of directors and is not registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund, as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary, does not have all of the protections offered by the 1940 Act to shareholders of investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. However, the Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund and the Fund’s Board of Trustees oversees the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Investment Manager and the Fund’s subadvisers are responsible for the Subsidiary’s day-to-day business pursuant to their separate agreements with, or in respect of, the Subsidiary. The following individuals serve as a director of the Subsidiary:
Name, address, year of birth Position held with Subsidiary
and length of service
Principal occupation during past five years
Anthony P. Haugen
807 Ameriprise
Financial Center,
Minneapolis, MN 55474-2405
Born 1964
Director since
November 2013
Vice President – Finance, Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
since June 2004
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 154

 

Name, address, year of birth Position held with Subsidiary
and length of service
Principal occupation during past five years
Amy K. Johnson
5228 Ameriprise
Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474-2405
Born 1965
Director since
November 2013
See Fund Governance – Fund Officers .
Christopher O. Petersen
5228 Ameriprise
Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474-2405
Born 1970
Director since
January 2015
See Fund Governance – Fund Officers .
The Subsidiary has entered into a separate management agreement for the provision of advisory and administrative services with the Investment Manager. Under this agreement, the Investment Manager provides the Subsidiary with the same type of management services, under the same terms, as are provided to the Fund. The Subsidiary pays the Investment Manager an annual fee for its management services, as set forth in the management agreement and the table below.
Management Agreement Fee Schedule
Subsidiary Assets
(millions)
Annual rate at
each asset level (a)
CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd.
(Subsidiary of VP - Commodity Strategy Fund)
$0 - $500 0.630%
>$500 - $1,000 0.580%
>$1,000 - $3,000 0.550%
>$3,000 - $6,000 0.520%
>$6,000 - $12,000 0.500%
>$12,000 0.490%
(a) When calculating asset levels for purposes of determining fee rate breakpoints, asset levels are based on aggregate net assets of the Fund and the Parent Fund. When calculating the fee payable under this agreement, the annual rates are based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
The Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract for the provision of custody services with the same service providers who provide those services to the Fund. Threadneedle selects the Subsidiary’s investments pursuant to an addendum to the subadvisory agreement with the Investment Manager. The Subsidiary has also entered into arrangements with PwC to serve as the Subsidiary’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Subsidiary bears the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the services that it receives pursuant to each of these separate agreements and arrangements. The Fund expects that the expenses borne by the Subsidiary will not be material in relation of the value of the Fund’s assets.
For purposes of adhering to the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures, the Investment Manager treats the assets of the Subsidiary as if the assets were held directly by the Fund. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund makes periodic reports to the Fund’s Board regarding the management and operations of the Subsidiary.
The financial information of the Subsidiary is consolidated into the Fund’s financial statements, as contained within the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports provided to shareholders.
By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are subject to the same risks that would apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. The Subsidiary is subject to the same principal risks to which the Fund is subject (as described in the Fund’s prospectus). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, except as otherwise noted, is not subject to the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by the Investment Manager, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund’s Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. In managing the Subsidiary’s investment portfolio, the Investment Manager manages the Subsidiary’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions.
The Investment Manager and any subadviser, if applicable, as it relates to the Subsidiary, complies with provisions of the 1940 Act relating to investment advisory contracts under Section 15 as an investment adviser to the Fund under Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. The Fund complies with the provisions of the 1940 Act, including those relating to investment policies (Section 8) and capital structure and leverage (Section 18) on an aggregate basis with the Subsidiary, and the Subsidiary complies with the provisions relating to affiliated transactions and custody (Section 17).
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 155

 

Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the applicable prospectus and this SAI and could adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. For example, the Cayman Islands laws currently do not impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law were changed and the Subsidiary was required to pay Cayman Islands taxes, the investment returns of the Fund would likely decrease.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs under the Code, the Fund must satisfy a 90% gross income requirement and an asset diversification requirement. These requirements are not applicable to the Subsidiary. The Fund and the Subsidiary will take steps to ensure that income recognized by the Fund in respect of the Subsidiary will be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement. For purposes of the asset diversification requirement, the Fund will limit its investment in the Subsidiary in the aggregate to 25% or less of the Fund’s total assets as of the end of every quarter of its taxable year; the asset diversification requirement applies to the Fund’s interest in the Subsidiary but not to the Subsidiary’s investments. Please refer to the Taxation – The Subsidiary section for further information about certain tax considerations relating to the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 156

 

FUND GOVERNANCE
Board of Trustees and Officers
The Board oversees the Funds' operations and appoints officers who are responsible for day-to-day business decisions based on policies set by the Board. The following table provides basic biographical information about the Funds' Trustees as of the date of this SAI, including their principal occupations during the past five years, although specific titles for individuals may have varied over the period. Under current Board policy, Trustees not affiliated with the Investment Manager generally may serve through the end of the calendar year in which they reach the mandatory retirement age established by the Board.
Trustees
Independent Trustees
Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trust and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
George S. Batejan
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1953
Trustee since 1/17 Executive Vice President, Global Head of Technology and Operations, Janus Capital Group, Inc., 2010-2016 123 Former Chairman of the Board, NICSA (National Investment Company Services Association) (Executive Committee, Nominating Committee and Governance Committee), 2014-2016; former Director, Intech Investment Management, 2011-2016; former Board Member, Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, 2015-2016; former Advisory Board Member, University of Colorado Business School, 2015-2018 Compliance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Kathleen Blatz
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1954
Trustee since 1/06 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds Attorney, specializing in arbitration and mediation; Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1998-2006; Associate Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1996-1998; Fourth Judicial District Court Judge, Hennepin County, 1994-1996; Attorney in private practice and public service, 1984-1993; State Representative, Minnesota House of Representatives, 1979-1993, which included service on the Tax and Financial Institutions and Insurance Committees; Member and Interim Chair, Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, January -July 2017; Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (health care insurance), February-July 2018 123 Trustee, BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota since 2009 (Chair of the Business Development Committee 2014-2017; Chair of the Governance Committee since 2017); Chair of the Robina Foundation since August 2013; former Member and Chair of the Board, Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, January 2017-July 2017 Board Governance, Compliance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 157

 

Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trust and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1944
Chair of the Board since 1/18; Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 1/05 for Nations Funds Managing Director, E.J. Boudreau & Associates (consulting) since 2000; FINRA Industry Arbitrator, 2002 – present; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock Investments (asset management), Chairman and Interested Trustee for open-end and closed-end funds offered by John Hancock, 1989-2000; John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, including Senior Vice President and Treasurer and Senior Vice President Information Technology, 1968-1988 123 Former Trustee, Boston Museum of Science (Chair of Finance Committee), 1985-2013; former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds), 2005-2011 Board Governance, Compliance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Pamela G. Carlton
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1954
Trustee since 7/07 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds President, Springboard- Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership (consulting company) since 2003; Managing Director of US Equity Research, JP Morgan Chase, 1999-2003; Director of US Equity Research, Chase Asset Management, 1996- 1999; Co-Director Latin America Research, 1993-1996, COO Global Research, 1992-1996, Co-Director of US Research, 1991-1992, Investment Banker, Morgan Stanley, 1982-1991 123 Trustee, New York Presbyterian Hospital Board (Executive Committee and Chair of Human Resources Committee) since 1996; Director, Laurel Road Bank (Audit Committee) since 2017 Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Patricia M. Flynn
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1950
Trustee since 11/04 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds Trustee Professor of Economics and Management, Bentley University since 1976 (also teaches and conducts research on corporate governance); Dean, McCallum Graduate School of Business, Bentley University, 1992-2002 123 Trustee, MA Taxpayers Foundation since 1997; Board of Directors, The MA Business Roundtable since 2003; Board of Governors, Innovation Institute, MA Technology Collaborative since 2010 Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Brian J. Gallagher
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1954
Trustee since 12/17 Retired; Partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP and its predecessors, 1977-2016 121 Trustee, Catholic Schools Foundation since 2004 Audit, Contracts, Investment Review
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 158

 

Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trust and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
Catherine James Paglia
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1952
Trustee since 11/04 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds Director, Enterprise Asset Management, Inc. (private real estate and asset management company) since September 1998; Managing Director and Partner, Interlaken Capital, Inc., 1989-1997; Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, 1982-1989; Vice President, Investment Banking, 1980-1982, Associate, Investment Banking, 1976-1980, Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. 123 Director, Valmont Industries, Inc. (irrigation systems manufacturer) since 2012; Trustee, Carleton College (on the Investment Committee); Trustee, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (on the Investment Committee) Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Executive, Investment Review
Anthony M. Santomero
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1946
Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 1/08 for Nations Funds Richard K. Mellon Professor Emeritus of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, since 2002; Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company (consulting), 2006-2008; President, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, 2000-2006; Professor of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1972-2002 123 Trustee, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company since March 2008; Director, Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd. since May 2008; former Director, Citigroup Inc. and Citibank, N.A., 2009-2019; former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds), 2008-2011 Audit, Board Governance, Contracts, Investment Review
Minor M. Shaw
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1947
Trustee since 6/11 for RiverSource Funds and since 2003 for Nations Funds President, Micco LLC (private investments) since 2011; President, Micco Corp. (family investment business), 1998-2011 123 Director, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina since April 2008; Board Chair, Hollingsworth Funds since 2016; Advisory Board member, Duke Energy Corp. since October 2016; Chair of the Duke Endowment; Chair of Greenville – Spartanburg Airport Commission; former Trustee, BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds), 2003-2011; former Director, Piedmont Natural Gas, 2004-2016; former Director, National Association of Corporate Directors, Carolinas Chapter, 2013-2018 Board Governance, Compliance, Contracts, Investment Review
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 159

 

Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trust and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
Sandra Yeager
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin Street,
Mail Drop BX32 05228,
Boston, MA 02110
1964
Trustee since 12/17 Retired; President and founder, Hanoverian Capital, LLC (SEC registered investment advisor firm), 2008-2016; Managing Director, DuPont Capital, 2006-2008; Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, 2004-2006; Senior Vice President, Alliance Bernstein, 1990-2004 121 Director, NAPE Education Foundation since October 2016 Compliance, Contracts, Investment Review
Interested Trustee Affiliated with Investment Manager*
Name, Address,
Year of Birth
Position Held
with the Trust and Length of Service
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia Funds Complex
Overseen
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years Committee
Assignments
William F. Truscott
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
225 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02110
1960
Trustee since 11/01 for RiverSource Funds and since 6/11 for Nations Funds; Senior Vice President since 2002 for RiverSource Funds and since 5/10 for Nations Funds Chairman of the Board and President, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010 and February 2012, respectively; Chief Executive Officer, Global Asset Management, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since September 2012 (previously Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Asset Management & President, Annuities, May 2010 - September 2012); Director and Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010 and February 2012, respectively; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, RiverSource Distributors, Inc. since 2006; Director, Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings, SARL since 2014; President and Chief Executive Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company, 2006 - August 2012. 192 Chairman of the Board, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Director, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010; former Director, Ameriprise Certificate Company, 2006 - January 2013 None
* Interested person (as defined under the 1940 Act) by reason of being an officer, director, security holder and/or employee of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 160

 

The Officers
The Board has appointed officers who are responsible for day-to-day business decisions based on policies it has established. The officers serve at the pleasure of the Board. The following table provides basic information about the Officers of the Trust as of the date of this SAI, including principal occupations during the past five years, although their specific titles may have varied over the period. In addition to Mr. Truscott, who is Senior Vice President, the Funds' other officers are:
Fund Officers
Name, Address
and Year of Birth
Position and Year
First Appointed to
Position for any Fund in the
Columbia Funds Complex
or a Predecessor Thereof
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Christopher O. Petersen
5228 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474
Born 1970
President and Principal Executive Officer (2015) Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since January 2015 (previously Vice President and Chief Counsel, January 2010 – December 2014); officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2007.
Michael G. Clarke
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1969
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) (2009) and Senior Vice President (2019) Vice President – Accounting and Tax, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, since May 2010; senior officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2002 (previously Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer, January 2009 – January 2019 and December 2015 – January 2019, respectively).
Joseph Beranek
5890 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474
Born 1965
Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) (2019) Vice President - Mutual Fund Accounting and Financial Reporting, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, since December 2018 and March 2017, respectively (previously Vice President – Pricing and Corporate Actions, May 2010 - March 2017).
Paul B. Goucher
485 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Born 1968
Senior Vice President (2011) and Assistant Secretary (2008) Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since January 2017 (previously Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel, November 2008 – January 2017 and January 2013 – January 2017, respectively); Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since March 2015 (previously Vice President and Assistant Secretary, May 2010 – March 2015).
Thomas P. McGuire
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1972
Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2012) Vice President – Asset Management Compliance, Ameriprise Financial, Inc., since May 2010; Chief Compliance Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company since September 2010.
Colin Moore
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1958
Senior Vice President (2010) Executive Vice President and Global Chief Investment Officer, Ameriprise Financial, Inc., since July 2013; Executive Vice President and Global Chief Investment Officer, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since July 2013.
Ryan C. Larrenaga
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1970
Senior Vice President (2017), Chief Legal Officer (2017) and Secretary (2015) Vice President and Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since August 2018 (previously Vice President and Group Counsel, August 2011 – August 2018); officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2005.
Michael E. DeFao
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Born 1968
Vice President (2011) and Assistant Secretary (2010) Vice President and Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since May 2010.
Amy Johnson
5228 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474
Born 1965
Vice President (2006) Managing Director and Global Head of Operations, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since April 2016 (previously Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, 2010 – 2016).
Lyn Kephart-Strong
5228 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN 55474
Born 1960
Vice President (2015) President, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. since October 2014; Vice President & Resolution Officer, Ameriprise Trust Company since August 2009.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 161

 

Responsibilities of Board with respect to Fund Management
The Board is chaired by an Independent Trustee who has significant additional responsibilities compared to the other Board members, including, among other things: setting the agenda for Board meetings, communicating and meeting regularly with Board members between Board and committee meetings on Fund-related matters, with the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer, counsel to the Independent Trustees, and representatives of the Funds' service providers.
The Board initially approves an investment management services agreement and other contracts with the Investment Manager and its affiliates, and other service providers. Once the contracts are approved, the Board monitors the level and quality of services including commitments of service providers to achieve expected levels of investment performance and shareholder services. Annually, the Board evaluates the services received under the contracts by reviewing, among other things, reports covering investment performance, shareholder services, marketing, and the Investment Manager’s profitability in order to determine whether to continue existing contracts or negotiate new contracts. The Investment Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and administration of the Funds and management of the risks that arise from the Funds' investments and operations. The Board’s oversight of the Investment Manager and other service providers in the operation of the Funds includes oversight with respect to various risk management functions. The Funds are subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational, and valuation risks, among others. Day-to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of the Investment Manager, the subadvisers and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk) who carry out the Funds' investment management and business affairs. Each of the Investment Manager, the subadvisers and other service providers has its own, independent interest in risk management, and its policies and methods of carrying out risk management functions will depend, in part, on its analysis of the risks, functions and business models.
Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Funds and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the Trust, the Board, directly or through a committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, the Investment Manager, subadvisers, if applicable, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds, and internal auditors for the Investment Manager or its affiliates, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Funds and relevant risk functions. The Board also meets periodically with the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer, to receive reports regarding the adequacy of the policies and procedures of the Trust and certain service providers and the effectiveness of their implementation. The Board, with the assistance of the Investment Review Committee, reviews investment policies in connection with its review of the Funds' performance, and meets periodically with the portfolio managers of the Funds to receive reports regarding the management of the Funds, including various investment risks. As part of the Board’s periodic review of the Funds' advisory, subadvisory, if applicable, and other service provider agreements, as applicable, the Board may consider risk management aspects of their operations and the functions for which they are responsible. In addition, the Board oversees processes that are in place addressing compliance with applicable rules, regulations and investment policies and addresses possible conflicts of interest.
The Board oversees the Funds' liquidity risk through, among other things, receiving periodic reporting and presentations by investment and other personnel of the Investment Manager. Additionally, as required by Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Trust implemented the Liquidity Program, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Funds' liquidity risk. The Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved the designation of a liquidity risk management program administrator (the "Liquidity Program Administrator") who is responsible for administering the Liquidity Program. The Board will review, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the Liquidity Program Administrator that addresses the operation of the Liquidity Program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified in advance; that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks; that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as various investment-related risks) in seeking to achieve the Funds' investment objectives; and that the processes and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.
Trustee Biographical Information and Qualifications
The following provides an overview of the considerations that led the Board to conclude that each individual serving as a Trustee should so serve. Generally, no one factor was decisive in the selection of an individual to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considered when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board were the following: (i) the individual’s business and professional experience and accomplishments; (ii) the individual’s ability to work effectively with the other Trustees; (iii) the individual’s prior experience, if any, serving on the boards of public companies (including, where relevant, other investment companies) and other enterprises and organizations; and (iv) how the individual’s skills, experience and attributes would contribute to an appropriate mix of relevant skills and experience on the Board.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 162

 

In respect of each current Trustee, the individual’s substantial professional accomplishments and experience were a significant factor in the determination that, in light of the business and structure of the Funds, the individual should serve as a Trustee. Following is a summary of each Trustee’s particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to or support the Board’s conclusion that an individual should serve as a Trustee:
George S. Batejan – Mr. Batejan has over 40 years’ experience in the financial services industry, including service as a former Executive Vice President and Global Head of Technology and Operations of Janus Capital Group, Inc. He has also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Evergreen Investments, Inc., Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of OppenheimerFunds, Inc., and Head of International Property and Casualty Operations and Systems/Senior Vice President of American International Group. Mr. Batejan is an 18-year veteran of Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. where he progressed to the Private Banking Vice President and Division Executive of the Americas’ Service Delivery Group. He has also served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards. Additionally, Mr. Batejan has managed operational units supporting the mutual fund business. These functions include fund accounting, fund treasury, fund tax, transfer agent, trade processing and settlement, proxy voting, corporate actions, operational risk, business continuity, and cyber security. He was also a member of the Ethics Committee, Global Risk Committee, and Cyber Security Committee of a major investment manager.
Kathleen Blatz – Ms. Blatz has had a successful legal and judicial career, including serving for eight years as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Prior to being a judge, she practiced law and also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives having been elected to eight terms. While in the legislature she served on various committees, including the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and the Tax Committee. Since retiring from the Bench, she has been appointed as an arbitrator on many cases involving business to business disputes, including some pertaining to shareholder rights issues. She also has been appointed to two Special Litigation Committees by boards of Fortune 500 Companies to investigate issues relating to cyber-security and stock options. In February 2018, she was appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and served in that capacity until July 30, 2018. She also serves on the boards of directors of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, as well as several non-profit organizations.
Edward J. Boudreau, Jr. – Prior to the establishment of E. J. Boudreau & Associates, Mr. Boudreau left a successful 32-year career at John Hancock Financial Services, the last 11 years of which he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock Investments. He spent the first 18 years of his career at John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in its treasury and financial management areas, progressing to Senior Vice President and Treasurer. For the following three years he worked on special assignments for the Chairman, including acting as temporary head of the Information Technology Department for two years. During his time as CEO of John Hancock Investments, Mr. Boudreau also served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors. He also has experience on other boards of directors of other companies. He is currently a member of the Advisory Board to the Mutual Fund Directors Forum and serves as a FINRA Industry Arbitrator.
Pamela G. Carlton – Ms. Carlton has over 20 years’ experience in the investment banking industry, as a former Managing Director of JP Morgan Chase and a 14-year veteran of Morgan Stanley Investment Banking and Equity Research. She is currently the President of Springboard Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership, a consulting firm that she founded. Ms. Carlton also serves on the Board of Directors of Laurel Road Bank, a privately held community bank, where she serves on the Audit Committee. She also has experience on other boards of directors of non-profit organizations, including the Board of Trustees of New York Presbyterian Hospital where she is on the Executive Committee and Chair of the Human Resources Committee.
Patricia M. Flynn – Dr. Flynn is a Trustee Professor of Economics and Management at Bentley University, where she previously served as Dean of the McCallum Graduate School of Business. Her research and teaching focus on technology-based economic development, corporate governance and women in business, which she has also written on extensively. She has served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards, including Boston Fed Bancorp Inc., U.S. Trust and The Federal Savings Bank.
Brian J. Gallagher – Mr. Gallagher has 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 30 years of service as an audit partner in the financial services practice at Deloitte & Touche LLP. During his tenure at Deloitte, Mr. Gallagher served as the Industry Professional Practice Director for the Investment Management Audit Practice, and oversaw the development of the firm’s audit approach for clients in the industry, consulted on technical issues, and interacted with standard setters and regulators. He also has experience on other boards of directors of non-profit organizations.
Catherine James Paglia – Ms. Paglia has been a Director of Enterprise Asset Management, Inc., a real estate and asset management company, for over 15 years. She previously spent eight years as a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, 10 years as a Managing Director of Interlaken Capital and served as Chief Financial Officer of two public companies. She also has experience on other boards of directors of public and non-profit organizations.
Anthony M. Santomero – Dr. Santomero is the former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. He holds the title of Richard K. Mellon Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and serves on the boards of two public companies, Renaissance Reinsurance Company Ltd and the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. He previously served as director of Citigroup Inc. and Citibank, N.A., Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company and was the
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 163

 

Richard K. Mellon Professor of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. During his 30-year tenure at Wharton, he held a number of academic and managerial positions, including Deputy Dean of the School. He has written approximately 150 articles, books and monographs on financial sector regulation and economic performance.
Minor M. Shaw – Ms. Shaw is President of Micco, LLC, a private investment company, and past president of Micco Corporation and Mickel Investment Group. She is chairman of the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, The Duke Endowment, and the Hollingsworth Funds. She currently serves as chairman of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission. She holds numerous civic and business board memberships and is a past chair of Wofford College Board of Trustees. Ms. Shaw serves on the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and on the advisory board of Duke Energy Corp. She has also served on the boards of Citizens & Southern Bank of SC, Interstate Johnson Lane and Piedmont Natural Gas.
William F. Truscott – Mr. Truscott has served on the Board of Trustees of various Columbia Funds since 2001. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Investment Manager since May 2010 and since February 2012 has served as its President. From 2001 to April 2010, Mr. Truscott served as the President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Investment Officer of the Investment Manager. He has served as Director of the Distributor since May 2010 and since February 2012 has served as its Chief Executive Officer. The Board has concluded that having a senior member of the Investment Manager serve on the Board can facilitate increased access to information regarding the Funds’ Investment Manager for the Independent Trustees, which is the Funds’ most significant service provider.
Sandra Yeager – Ms. Yeager has over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry. In August of 2008 she founded Hanoverian Capital, LLC, an investment boutique specializing in international equities for institutional clients, where she served as President and Chief Investment Officer through December 2016. Prior to that, Ms. Yeager served as Head of International Equities for DuPont Capital and Head of Global Equity Research for Morgan Stanley Investment Management, where she led a team of thirty people. Ms. Yeager began her investment career at AllianceBernstein as an equity analyst and advanced to become a global portfolio manager for institutional and mutual fund clients.
Committees of the Board
The Board has organized the following standing committees to facilitate its work: Board Governance Committee, Compliance Committee, Contracts Committee, Executive Committee, Investment Review Committee and Audit Committee. These Committees are comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The table above providing background on each Trustee also includes their respective committee assignments. The duties of these committees are described below.
Mr. Boudreau, as Chair of the Board, acts as a point of contact between the Independent Trustees and the Investment Manager between Board meetings in respect of general matters.
Board Governance Committee. Recommends to the Board the size, structure and composition of the Board and its committees; the compensation to be paid to members of the Board; and a process for evaluating the Board’s performance. The committee also reviews candidates for Board membership, including candidates recommended by shareholders. The committee also makes recommendations to the Board regarding responsibilities and duties of the Board, oversees proxy voting and supports the work of the Board Chair in relation to furthering the interests of the Funds and other funds in the Columbia Funds Complex overseen by the Board and their shareholders.
To be considered as a candidate for Trustee, recommendations must include a curriculum vitae and be mailed to Edward J. Boudreau, Jr., Chair of the Board, Columbia Funds Complex, 225 Franklin Street, Mail Drop BX32 05228, Boston, MA 02110. To be timely for consideration by the committee, the submission, including all required information, must be submitted in writing by the date disclosed in a Fund’s proxy statement soliciting proxies to be voted at a meeting of shareholders, if such a meeting is held (mutual funds, including ETFs, are not required to hold annual shareholder meetings). The committee will consider only one candidate submitted by such a shareholder or group for nomination for election at a meeting of shareholders. The committee will not consider self-nominated candidates or candidates nominated by members of a candidate’s family, including such candidate’s spouse, children, parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, nieces and nephews.
The committee will consider and evaluate candidates submitted by the nominating shareholder or group on the basis of the same criteria as those used to consider and evaluate candidates submitted from other sources. The committee may take into account a wide variety of factors in considering trustee candidates, including (but not limited to): (i) the candidate’s knowledge in matters relating to the investment company industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of other public or private companies; (iii) the candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and personal and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 164

 

commitment to attend meetings regularly, work collaboratively with other members of the Board and carry out his or her duties in the best interests of the Funds; (vii) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an independent trustee; and (viii) such other criteria as the committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies or other factors.
Members of the committee (and/or the Board) also meet personally with each nominee to evaluate the candidate’s ability to work effectively with other members of the Board, while also exercising independent judgment. Although the Board does not have a formal diversity policy, the Board endeavors to comprise itself of members with a broad mix of professional and personal backgrounds. Thus, the committee and the Board accorded particular weight to the individual professional background of each Independent Trustee. The committee held seven meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Compliance Committee. Supports the Funds' maintenance of a strong compliance program by providing a forum for Independent Trustees to consider compliance matters impacting the Funds or their key service providers; developing and implementing, in coordination with the Chief Compliance Officer, a process for the review and consideration of compliance reports that are provided to the Board; and providing a designated forum for the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer to meet with Independent Trustees on a regular basis to discuss compliance matters. The committee held five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Contracts Committee. Reviews and oversees the contractual relationships with service providers. Receives and analyzes reports covering the level and quality of services provided under contracts with the Funds and advises the Board regarding actions taken on these contracts during the annual review process. Reviews and considers, on behalf of all Trustees, the Funds' investment advisory, subadvisory (if any), administrative services and principal underwriting contracts to assists the Trustees in fulfilling their responsibilities relating to the Board’s evaluation and consideration of these arrangements. The committee held six meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Executive Committee. Acts, as needed, for the Board between meetings of the Board, and can meet in advance of, and/or for planning, regularly scheduled meetings or other Board matters. The committee held seven meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Investment Review Committee. Reviews and oversees the management of the Funds' assets. Considers investment management policies and strategies; investment performance; risk management techniques; and securities trading practices and reports areas of concern to the Board. The committee held five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Audit Committee. Oversees the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Funds and internal controls over financial reporting. Oversees the quality and integrity of the Funds' financial statements and independent audits as well as the Funds' compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Funds' accounting and financial reporting, internal controls over financial reporting and independent audits. The committee also makes recommendations regarding the selection of the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm ( i.e. , independent auditors) and reviews and evaluates the qualifications, independence and performance of the auditor. The committee oversees the Funds' risks by, among other things, meeting with the Funds' internal auditors, establishing procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns about accounting or audit matters, and overseeing the Funds' Disclosure Controls and Procedures. This committee acts as a liaison between the independent auditors and the full Board and must prepare an audit committee report. The committee held five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 165

 

Beneficial Equity Ownership
The tables below show, for each Trustee, the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of all Funds in the Columbia Funds Complex overseen by the Trustee, including notional amounts through the Deferred Compensation Plan, where noted. The information is provided as of December 31, 2018.
The tables only include ownership of Columbia Funds overseen by the Trustees; the Trustees and Officers may own shares of other Columbia Funds they do not oversee. All shares of the Funds are made available only through Qualified Plans or products offered by life insurance companies, and as of December 31, 2018, no Trustee had an interest in shares of the Funds.
Independent Trustee Ownership
Board Member Aggregate
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in all Funds in the
Columbia Funds
Complex Overseen
by the Trustee
George S. Batejan Over $100,000
Kathleen Blatz Over $100,000
Edward J. Boudreau Jr. Over $100,000 (a)
Pamela G. Carlton Over $100,000 (a)
Patricia M. Flynn Over $100,000 (a)
Brian J. Gallagher Over $100,000 (a)
Catherine James Paglia Over $100,000 (a)
Anthony Santomero Over $100,000 (a)
Minor M. Shaw Over $100,000 (a)(b)
Sandra L. Yeager $50,001-$100,000 (a)
(a) Includes the value of compensation payable under a Deferred Compensation Plan that is determined as if the amounts deferred had been invested, as of the date of deferral, in shares of one or more funds in the Columbia Funds Complex overseen by the Trustee as specified by the Trustee.
(b) Ms. Shaw invests in a Section 529 Plan managed by the Investment Manager that allocates assets to various open-end funds, including Columbia Funds. The amount shown in the table includes the value of her interest in this plan determined as if her investment in the plan were invested directly in the Columbia Fund pursuant to the plan’s target allocations.
Interested Trustee Ownership
Board Member Aggregate
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in all Funds in the
Columbia Funds
Complex Overseen
by the Trustee
William F. Truscott Over $100,000
Prior Beneficial Ownership of the Investment Manager, Subadvisers, or Distributor by Independent Trustees
During the two most recently completed calendar years, Ms. Yeager owned shares of common stock in Morgan Stanley, the parent company of MSIM, in excess of $120,000. Prior to becoming a trustee, she completely disposed of that common stock interest.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 166

 

Compensation
Total compensation. The following table shows the total compensation paid to Independent Trustees for their services from all the Funds in the Columbia Funds Complex overseen by the Trustee for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Mr. Truscott is not compensated for his services on the Board.
Trustees (a) Total Cash Compensation
from Fund Complex
Paid to Trustee (b)
Amount Deferred
from Total
Compensation (c)
George Batejan $315,000 $0
Kathleen Blatz $337,500 $0
Edward Boudreau $425,000 $276,250
Pamela Carlton $335,000 $67,000
William Carmichael (d) $337,500 $0
Patricia Flynn $320,000 $0
Brian Gallagher $305,000 $152,500
Catherine Paglia $342,500 $256,875
Anthony Santomero $320,000 $0
Minor Shaw $320,000 $160,000
Sandra Yeager $305,000 $152,500
(a) Trustee compensation is paid by the Funds and is comprised of a combination of a base fee and meeting fees, with the exception of the Chair of the Board, who receives a base annual compensation.
(b) Includes any portion of cash compensation Trustees elected to defer during the fiscal period.
(c) The Trustees may elect to defer a portion of the total cash compensation payable. Additional information regarding the Deferred Compensation Plan is described below.
(d) Mr. Carmichael served as Trustee until December 31, 2018. Mr. Carmichael stopped receiving compensation from the Funds and the Columbia Funds Complex as of such date.
In addition to the above compensation, all Independent Trustees receive reimbursements for reasonable expenses related to their attendance at meetings of the Board or standing committees, which are not included in the amounts shown.
Independent Trustees did not accrue any pension or retirement benefits as part of Fund expenses, nor will they receive any annual benefits upon retirement.
Deferred Compensation Plan . The Independent Trustees may elect to defer payment of up to 100% of the compensation they receive in accordance with a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Plan). Under the Deferred Plan, a Trustee may elect to have his or her deferred compensation treated as if it had been invested in shares of one or more eligible funds in the Columbia Funds Complex, and the amount paid to the Trustee under the Deferred Plan will be determined based on the performance of such investments. Distributions may be taken in a lump sum or over a period of years. The Deferred Plan will remain unfunded for federal income tax purposes under the Code, and all amounts payable under the Deferred Plan constitute a general unsecured obligation of the Funds. It is anticipated that deferral of Trustee compensation in accordance with the Deferred Plan will have, at most, a negligible impact on Fund assets and liabilities.
The Independent Trustees have a policy that each Trustee invests in shares of one or more of the Funds (including the Columbia closed-end funds) overseen by the Trustee (including shares held in the Deferred Compensation Plan) in an aggregate amount that is at least equal to the annual total compensation received by the Trustee from the Columbia Fund Complex. All Independent Trustees meet this standard.
Compensation from each Fund . The following table shows the compensation paid to Independent Trustees from each Fund during its last fiscal year (or period), as well as the amount deferred from each Fund, which is included in the total.
Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Batejan Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael (a) Flynn
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP - Aggressive Portfolio $3,782 $4,058 $5,145 $4,027 $4,058 $3,843
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $3,345 $805 $0 $0
VP - American Century Diversified Bond Fund $4,765 $5,111 $6,484 $5,071 $5,111 $4,841
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 167

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Batejan Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael (a) Flynn
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $4,215 $1,014 $0 $0
VP - AQR International Core Equity Fund $3,501 $3,757 $4,761 $3,728 $3,757 $3,558
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $3,095 $745 $0 $0
VP - Balanced Fund $2,023 $2,172 $2,753 $2,155 $2,172 $2,057
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,790 $431 $0 $0
VP - BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund $962 $1,033 $1,310 $1,025 $1,033 $978
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $851 $205 $0 $0
VP - CenterSquare Real Estate Fund $1,297 $1,393 $1,767 $1,383 $1,393 $1,319
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,149 $277 $0 $0
VP - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund $965 $1,036 $1,313 $1,028 $1,036 $981
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $854 $206 $0 $0
VP - Commodity Strategy Fund $1,323 $1,422 $1,800 $1,410 $1,422 $1,344
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,170 $282 $0 $0
VP - Conservative Portfolio $2,047 $2,197 $2,788 $2,179 $2,197 $2,081
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,812 $436 $0 $0
VP - Core Equity Fund $1,056 $1,134 $1,437 $1,125 $1,134 $1,073
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $934 $225 $0 $0
VP - DFA International Value Fund $2,582 $2,769 $3,511 $2,747 $2,769 $2,624
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,282 $550 $0 $0
VP - Disciplined Core Fund $6,597 $7,084 $8,979 $7,030 $7,084 $6,705
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $5,836 $1,406 $0 $0
VP - Dividend Opportunity Fund $2,604 $2,799 $3,541 $2,776 $2,799 $2,647
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,302 $555 $0 $0
VP - Emerging Markets Bond Fund $1,059 $1,137 $1,442 $1,129 $1,137 $1,077
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $937 $226 $0 $0
VP - Emerging Markets Fund $1,499 $1,611 $2,040 $1,598 $1,611 $1,523
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,326 $320 $0 $0
VP - Global Strategic Income Fund $973 $1,045 $1,325 $1,037 $1,045 $989
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $861 $207 $0 $0
VP - Government Money Market Fund $1,231 $1,321 $1,676 $1,312 $1,321 $1,253
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,090 $262 $0 $0
VP - High Yield Bond Fund $1,246 $1,338 $1,697 $1,327 $1,338 $1,267
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,103 $266 $0 $0
VP - Income Opportunities Fund $1,204 $1,292 $1,639 $1,282 $1,292 $1,224
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,065 $256 $0 $0
VP - Intermediate Bond Fund $5,747 $6,169 $7,826 $6,122 $6,169 $5,842
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $5,087 $1,224 $0 $0
VP - Large Cap Growth Fund $2,780 $2,986 $3,782 $2,964 $2,986 $2,825
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,458 $593 $0 $0
VP - Large Cap Index Fund $1,611 $1,731 $2,193 $1,719 $1,731 $1,638
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,425 $344 $0 $0
VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund $1,662 $1,784 $2,262 $1,770 $1,784 $1,689
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,470 $354 $0 $0
VP - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund $3,059 $3,286 $4,162 $3,262 $3,286 $3,110
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,705 $652 $0 $0
VP - Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund $2,634 $2,829 $3,583 $2,808 $2,829 $2,677
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,329 $562 $0 $0
VP - MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund $2,947 $3,165 $4,010 $3,141 $3,165 $2,996
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,606 $628 $0 $0
VP - MFS Value Fund $3,008 $3,225 $4,093 $3,200 $3,225 $3,057
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,661 $640 $0 $0
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 168

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Batejan Blatz Boudreau Carlton Carmichael (a) Flynn
VP - Mid Cap Growth Fund $1,360 $1,461 $1,851 $1,450 $1,461 $1,382
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,203 $290 $0 $0
VP - Moderate Portfolio $20,310 $21,797 $27,642 $21,627 $21,797 $20,643
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $17,967 $4,325 $0 $0
VP - Moderately Aggressive Portfolio $10,244 $10,992 $13,940 $10,906 $10,992 $10,411
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $9,061 $2,181 $0 $0
VP - Moderately Conservative Portfolio $4,302 $4,616 $5,856 $4,580 $4,616 $4,372
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $3,807 $916 $0 $0
VP - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund $2,936 $3,156 $3,995 $3,133 $3,156 $2,984
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,597 $627 $0 $0
VP - MV Moderate Growth Fund $16,374 $17,586 $22,278 $17,453 $17,586 $16,644
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $14,481 $3,491 $0 $0
VP - Oppenheimer International Growth Fund $2,515 $2,699 $3,422 $2,678 $2,699 $2,555
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,225 $536 $0 $0
VP - Overseas Core Fund $2,041 $2,189 $2,777 $2,173 $2,189 $2,074
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,805 $435 $0 $0
VP - Partners Core Bond Fund $4,156 $4,462 $5,660 $4,428 $4,462 $4,225
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $3,679 $886 $0 $0
VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund $1,574 $1,691 $2,143 $1,679 $1,691 $1,599
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,393 $336 $0 $0
VP - Partners Small Cap Value Fund $1,690 $1,815 $2,301 $1,802 $1,815 $1,717
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,496 $360 $0 $0
VP - Select Large Cap Equity Fund (b) $1,373 $1,468 $1,821 $1,460 $1,468 $1,399
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,183 $292 $0 $0
VP - Select Large Cap Value Fund $2,268 $2,434 $3,085 $2,416 $2,434 $2,305
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,006 $483 $0 $0
VP - Select Mid Cap Value Fund $1,153 $1,237 $1,569 $1,228 $1,237 $1,171
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,020 $246 $0 $0
VP - Select Small Cap Value Fund $939 $1,009 $1,279 $1,001 $1,009 $955
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $831 $200 $0 $0
VP - Seligman Global Technology Fund $928 $996 $1,263 $988 $996 $943
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $821 $198 $0 $0
VP - T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund $3,323 $3,565 $4,522 $3,537 $3,565 $3,377
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $2,939 $707 $0 $0
VP - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund $3,826 $4,107 $5,209 $4,075 $4,107 $3,889
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $3,386 $815 $0 $0
VP - U.S. Equities Fund $1,951 $2,096 $2,657 $2,080 $2,096 $1,982
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,727 $416 $0 $0
VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund $1,888 $2,027 $2,570 $2,011 $2,027 $1,919
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,671 $402 $0 $0
VP - Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund $1,468 $1,576 $1,998 $1,565 $1,576 $1,492
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,299 $313 $0 $0
VP - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund $1,843 $1,981 $2,511 $1,965 $1,981 $1,874
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,632 $393 $0 $0
VP - Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund $1,435 $1,542 $1,953 $1,531 $1,542 $1,459
Amount Deferred $0 $0 $1,270 $306 $0 $0
(a) Mr. Carmichael served as Trustee until December 31, 2018, and stopped receiving compensation from the Funds and the Columbia Funds Complex as of such date.
(b) For the period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 169

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Gallagher Paglia Santomero Shaw Yeager
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP - Aggressive Portfolio $3,782 $4,058 $3,966 $3,843 $3,782
Amount Deferred $1,891 $3,044 $0 $1,922 $1,891
VP - American Century Diversified Bond Fund $4,765 $5,111 $4,997 $4,841 $4,765
Amount Deferred $2,382 $3,833 $0 $2,421 $2,382
VP - AQR International Core Equity Fund $3,501 $3,757 $3,672 $3,558 $3,501
Amount Deferred $1,750 $2,818 $0 $1,779 $1,750
VP - Balanced Fund $2,023 $2,172 $2,122 $2,057 $2,023
Amount Deferred $1,012 $1,629 $0 $1,028 $1,012
VP - BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund $962 $1,033 $1,009 $978 $962
Amount Deferred $481 $775 $0 $489 $481
VP - CenterSquare Real Estate Fund $1,297 $1,393 $1,361 $1,319 $1,297
Amount Deferred $649 $1,045 $0 $659 $649
VP - Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund $965 $1,036 $1,013 $981 $965
Amount Deferred $483 $777 $0 $490 $483
VP - Commodity Strategy Fund $1,323 $1,422 $1,392 $1,344 $1,323
Amount Deferred $662 $1,067 $0 $672 $662
VP - Conservative Portfolio $2,047 $2,197 $2,147 $2,081 $2,047
Amount Deferred $1,024 $1,648 $0 $1,041 $1,024
VP - Core Equity Fund $1,056 $1,134 $1,108 $1,073 $1,056
Amount Deferred $528 $850 $0 $537 $528
VP - DFA International Value Fund $2,582 $2,769 $2,707 $2,624 $2,582
Amount Deferred $1,291 $2,077 $0 $1,312 $1,291
VP - Disciplined Core Fund $6,597 $7,084 $6,921 $6,705 $6,597
Amount Deferred $3,298 $5,313 $0 $3,352 $3,298
VP - Dividend Opportunity Fund $2,604 $2,799 $2,736 $2,647 $2,604
Amount Deferred $1,302 $2,099 $0 $1,323 $1,302
VP - Emerging Markets Bond Fund $1,059 $1,137 $1,111 $1,077 $1,059
Amount Deferred $530 $853 $0 $538 $530
VP - Emerging Markets Fund $1,499 $1,611 $1,576 $1,523 $1,499
Amount Deferred $750 $1,208 $0 $762 $750
VP - Global Strategic Income Fund $973 $1,045 $1,021 $989 $973
Amount Deferred $487 $783 $0 $495 $487
VP - Government Money Market Fund $1,231 $1,321 $1,288 $1,253 $1,231
Amount Deferred $616 $991 $0 $626 $616
VP - High Yield Bond Fund $1,246 $1,338 $1,307 $1,267 $1,246
Amount Deferred $623 $1,003 $0 $633 $623
VP - Income Opportunities Fund $1,204 $1,292 $1,262 $1,224 $1,204
Amount Deferred $602 $969 $0 $612 $602
VP - Intermediate Bond Fund $5,747 $6,169 $6,027 $5,842 $5,747
Amount Deferred $2,874 $4,627 $0 $2,921 $2,874
VP - Large Cap Growth Fund $2,780 $2,986 $2,918 $2,825 $2,780
Amount Deferred $1,390 $2,240 $0 $1,413 $1,390
VP - Large Cap Index Fund $1,611 $1,731 $1,690 $1,638 $1,611
Amount Deferred $806 $1,299 $0 $819 $806
VP - Limited Duration Credit Fund $1,662 $1,784 $1,743 $1,689 $1,662
Amount Deferred $831 $1,338 $0 $845 $831
VP - Loomis Sayles Growth Fund $3,059 $3,286 $3,210 $3,110 $3,059
Amount Deferred $1,530 $2,465 $0 $1,555 $1,530
VP - Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund $2,634 $2,829 $2,764 $2,677 $2,634
Amount Deferred $1,317 $2,122 $0 $1,338 $1,317
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 170

 

Fund Aggregate Compensation from Fund
Independent Trustees
Gallagher Paglia Santomero Shaw Yeager
VP - MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund $2,947 $3,165 $3,091 $2,996 $2,947
Amount Deferred $1,474 $2,373 $0 $1,498 $1,474
VP - MFS Value Fund $3,008 $3,225 $3,152 $3,057 $3,008
Amount Deferred $1,504 $2,419 $0 $1,529 $1,504
VP - Mid Cap Growth Fund $1,360 $1,461 $1,427 $1,382 $1,360
Amount Deferred $680 $1,095 $0 $691 $680
VP - Moderate Portfolio $20,310 $21,797 $21,301 $20,643 $20,310
Amount Deferred $10,155 $16,348 $0 $10,321 $10,155
VP - Moderately Aggressive Portfolio $10,244 $10,992 $10,743 $10,411 $10,244
Amount Deferred $5,122 $8,244 $0 $5,205 $5,122
VP - Moderately Conservative Portfolio $4,302 $4,616 $4,512 $4,372 $4,302
Amount Deferred $2,151 $3,462 $0 $2,186 $2,151
VP - Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund $2,936 $3,156 $3,083 $2,984 $2,936
Amount Deferred $1,468 $2,367 $0 $1,492 $1,468
VP - MV Moderate Growth Fund $16,374 $17,586 $17,179 $16,644 $16,374
Amount Deferred $8,187 $13,189 $0 $8,322 $8,187
VP - Oppenheimer International Growth Fund $2,515 $2,699 $2,640 $2,555 $2,515
Amount Deferred $1,257 $2,024 $0 $1,278 $1,257
VP - Overseas Core Fund $2,041 $2,189 $2,139 $2,074 $2,041
Amount Deferred $1,020 $1,642 $0 $1,037 $1,020
VP - Partners Core Bond Fund $4,156 $4,462 $4,358 $4,225 $4,156
Amount Deferred $2,078 $3,347 $0 $2,113 $2,078
VP - Partners Small Cap Growth Fund $1,574 $1,691 $1,653 $1,599 $1,574
Amount Deferred $787 $1,268 $0 $800 $787
VP - Partners Small Cap Value Fund $1,690 $1,815 $1,774 $1,717 $1,690
Amount Deferred $845 $1,361 $0 $859 $845
VP - Select Large Cap Equity Fund (a) $1,373 $1,468 $1,425 $1,399 $1,373
Amount Deferred $687 $1,101 $0 $700 $687
VP - Select Large Cap Value Fund $2,268 $2,434 $2,378 $2,305 $2,268
Amount Deferred $1,134 $1,826 $0 $1,153 $1,134
VP - Select Mid Cap Value Fund $1,153 $1,237 $1,209 $1,171 $1,153
Amount Deferred $576 $928 $0 $586 $576
VP - Select Small Cap Value Fund $939 $1,009 $985 $955 $939
Amount Deferred $470 $756 $0 $477 $470
VP - Seligman Global Technology Fund $928 $996 $973 $943 $928
Amount Deferred $464 $747 $0 $471 $464
VP - T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund $3,323 $3,565 $3,484 $3,377 $3,323
Amount Deferred $1,661 $2,674 $0 $1,688 $1,661
VP - TCW Core Plus Bond Fund $3,826 $4,107 $4,012 $3,889 $3,826
Amount Deferred $1,913 $3,080 $0 $1,944 $1,913
VP - U.S. Equities Fund $1,951 $2,096 $2,049 $1,982 $1,951
Amount Deferred $975 $1,572 $0 $991 $975
VP - U.S. Government Mortgage Fund $1,888 $2,027 $1,980 $1,919 $1,888
Amount Deferred $944 $1,520 $0 $959 $944
VP - Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund $1,468 $1,576 $1,540 $1,492 $1,468
Amount Deferred $734 $1,182 $0 $746 $734
VP - Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund $1,843 $1,981 $1,932 $1,874 $1,843
Amount Deferred $921 $1,485 $0 $937 $921
VP - Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund $1,435 $1,542 $1,507 $1,459 $1,435
Amount Deferred $718 $1,157 $0 $729 $718
(a) For the period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 171

 

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND RELATED PRACTICES
General Brokerage Policy, Brokerage Transactions and Broker Selection
Subject to policies established by the Board, as well as the terms of the Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement, as applicable, the Investment Manager (and/or the investment subadviser(s) who makes the day-to-day investment decisions for all or a portion of a Fund’s net assets) is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other instruments and assets for a Fund, for the selection of broker-dealers, for the execution of a Fund’s transactions and for the allocation of brokerage commissions in connection with such transactions. The Investment Manager effects transactions for the Fund consistent with its duty to seek best execution of client (including Fund) orders under the circumstances of the particular transaction. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through broker-dealers who charge negotiated commissions for their services. Orders may be directed to any broker-dealer to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law and by the policies and procedures of the Investment Manager and/or any investment subadvisers.
In the over-the-counter market, securities generally are traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principals for their own accounts without stated commissions, although the price of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are bought at a fixed price that includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s “concession” or “discount.” On occasion, certain money market instruments may be bought directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
The Investment Manager effects security transactions for the Funds consistent with its duty to seek best execution of client (including the Funds) orders under the circumstances of the particular transaction. In seeking such execution, the Investment Manager will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration to various relevant factors, including, without limitation, the size and type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security or other instrument or asset, the confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the general execution and operational capabilities of the broker-dealer, the reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition of the broker-dealer, the value and quality of the services rendered by the broker-dealer in this instance and other transactions and the reasonableness of the spread or commission, if any. Research services received from broker-dealers supplement the Investment Manager’s own research and may include the following types of information: statistical and background information on industry groups and individual companies; forecasts and interpretations with respect to U.S. and foreign economies, securities, markets, specific industry groups and individual companies; information on political developments; Fund management strategies; performance information on securities and other instruments and assets and information concerning prices of same; and information supplied by specialized services to the Investment Manager and to the Board with respect to the performance, investment activities and fees and expenses of other funds. Such information may be communicated electronically, orally or in written form.
Broker-dealers may, from time to time, arrange meetings with management of companies and provide access to consultants who supply research information. The outside research is useful to the Investment Manager since, in certain instances, the broker-dealers utilized by the Investment Manager may follow a different universe of issuers and other matters than those that the Investment Manager’s staff follow. In addition, this research provides the Investment Manager with a different perspective on investment matters, even if the securities research obtained relates to issuers followed by the Investment Manager.
Investment managers subject to MiFID II, which may include certain investment subadvisers to the Funds, may not receive investment research from brokers unless the investment manager pays for such research directly from its own resources, or from a separate, dedicated account paid for with client funds with client permission (or a combination of these methods). MiFID II limits the use of soft dollars by investment subadvisers located in the EU and in certain circumstances may result in the Investment Manager or investment subadvisers reducing the use of soft dollars with respect to certain groups of clients, which may or may not include the Funds.
Research services that are provided to the Investment Manager by broker-dealers are available for the benefit of all accounts managed or advised by the Investment Manager. In some cases, the research services are available only from the broker-dealer providing such services. In other cases, the research services may be obtainable from alternative sources. Broker-dealer research typically supplements rather than replaces the Investment Manager’s own research, tending to improve the quality of its investment advice. However, to the extent that the Investment Manager would have bought any such research services had such services not been provided by broker-dealers, the expenses of such services to the Investment Manager could be considered to have been reduced accordingly. Certain research services furnished by broker-dealers may be useful to the clients of the Investment Manager other than the Funds. Conversely, any research services received by the Investment Manager through the placement of transactions of other clients may be of value to the Investment Manager in fulfilling its obligations to the Funds. The Investment Manager is of the opinion that this material is beneficial in supplementing its research and analysis; and, therefore, it may benefit the Funds by improving the quality of the Investment Manager’s investment advice. The advisory fees paid by the Funds are not reduced because the Investment Manager receives such services.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 172

 

Unless prohibited by applicable law, Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, provides a “safe harbor” for the Investment Manager to obtain research used in investment decision-making and brokerage services with client commissions. As a result, broker-dealers typically provide services including research and execution of transactions on a bundled or unbundled basis. The research provided can be either proprietary (created and provided by the broker-dealer, including tangible research products as well as access to analysts and traders) or third party (created by a third party but provided by the broker-dealer). The Investment Manager uses broker-dealers who provide both types of research products and services, as well as brokerage products and services, in exchange for commissions generated by transactions in the client accounts (including the Funds), also known as “soft dollars” or client commission practices.
Under Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Investment Manager shall not be “deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached its fiduciary duty” solely because under certain circumstances it has caused the account to pay a higher commission than the lowest available. To obtain the benefit of Section 28(e), the Investment Manager must make a good faith determination that the commissions paid are “reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such member, broker, or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or his overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which he exercises investment discretion.” Accordingly, the price to a Fund in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified by other aspects of the brokerage and research services offered. Generally, the Investment Manager may execute trades through a broker-dealer, which subsequently makes payment to a research-producing broker-dealer at the Investment Manager’s direction, retaining a predetermined portion of the commissions for execution. The Investment Manager determines the amount of the payments through a broker research evaluation process. This compensation method, sometimes referred to as a “commission sharing arrangement” allows the Investment Manager to more selectively obtain research from one broker-dealer while seeking the execution services of another, preferred execution broker-dealer. Such commission sharing arrangements do not obligate the Investment Manager to generate a specified level of commissions with the executing broker-dealers.
The Investment Manager does not consider sales of shares of the Funds as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers through which to execute securities transactions on behalf of the Funds. On a periodic basis, the Investment Manager makes a comprehensive review of the broker-dealers and the overall reasonableness of their commissions, which evaluates execution, operational efficiency, and research services. Certain limited reviews are also conducted by an independent third-party evaluator.
Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with broker-dealers based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by broker-dealers in light of generally prevailing rates. On exchanges on which commissions are negotiated, the cost of transactions may vary among different broker-dealers. Transactions on foreign stock exchanges involve payment of brokerage commissions that generally are fixed. Transactions in both foreign and domestic over-the-counter markets generally are principal transactions with dealers, and the costs of such transactions involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions. With respect to over-the-counter transactions, the Investment Manager, where possible, will deal directly with dealers who make a market in the securities involved, except in those circumstances in which better prices and execution are available elsewhere.
The Investment Manager or a subadviser, if applicable, may use step-out transactions. A “step-out” is an arrangement in which the Investment Manager or subadviser executes a trade through one broker-dealer but instructs that broker-dealer to step-out all or a part of the trade to another broker-dealer. The second broker-dealer will clear and settle, and receive commissions for, the stepped-out portion. The Investment Manager or subadviser may receive research products and services in connection with step-out transactions.
Use of Fund commissions may create potential conflicts of interest between the Investment Manager or subadviser and a Fund. However, the Investment Manager and each subadviser has policies and procedures designed to mitigate these conflicts and ensure that the use of fund commissions falls within the “safe harbor” of Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act.
Some products and services may be used for both investment decision-making and non-investment decision-making purposes (“mixed use” items). The Investment Manager and each subadviser, to the extent it has mixed use items, has procedures in place to assure that Fund commissions pay only for the investment decision-making portion of a mixed-use item.
Some broker-dealers with whom the Investment Manager’s Fixed Income Department executes trades provide the Fixed Income Department with proprietary research products and services, though the Fixed Income Department does not put in place any client commission arrangements with such broker-dealers. It is the Investment Manager’s policy not to execute a fixed income trade with a broker-dealer at a lower bid/higher offer than that provided by another broker-dealer in consideration of the value of research products and services received by the Fixed Income Department.
In certain instances, there may be securities that are suitable for a Fund as well as for one or more of the other clients of the Investment Manager. Investment decisions for the Funds and for the Investment Manager’s other clients are made with the goal of achieving their respective investment objectives. A particular security may be bought or sold for only one client even though it may be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 173

 

one or more other clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when a number of accounts receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are engaged simultaneously in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. In some cases, this policy could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security in a particular transaction that may affect the Funds.
The Investment Manager operates several trading desks in different geographic locations in the United States. The U.S. trading desks support different portfolio management teams managing a variety of accounts and products. The U.S. equity desks are functionally and operationally integrated to operate as one virtual desk. The U.S. fixed income desks are also functionally and operationally integrated so as to operate as one virtual desk with the exception of the leveraged loan trading desks, which continue to trade independently. Each associated desk provides support to each other to assume the continuation of services if necessary. The Funds may forego certain opportunities including the aggregation of trades across accounts that trade on different trading desks, which could result in one trading desk competing with another in the market for similar trades. In addition, it is possible that the separate trading desks may be on opposite sides of a trade at the same time. While the U.S. trading desks operate in several locations, the desks operate under the same oversight and reporting lines and are generally conducted under similar policies and procedures. In addition, certain fixed income portfolio managers currently have the authority to execute trades themselves in limited circumstances.
As the Investment Manager seeks to enhance its investment capabilities and services to its clients, including the Funds, the Investment Manager may engage certain of its investment advisory affiliates (Participating Affiliates) around the world to provide a variety of services. For example, the Investment Manager may engage Participating Affiliates and their personnel to provide (jointly or in coordination with the Investment Manager) services relating to client relations, investment monitoring, account administration, trading and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management and risk management) to certain accounts the Investment Manager manages, including the Funds, other pooled vehicles and separately managed accounts. In some circumstances, a Participating Affiliate may delegate responsibility for providing those services to another Participating Affiliate. In addition, the Investment Manager may provide certain similar services to its Participating Affiliates for accounts they manage.
The Investment Manager believes that harnessing the collective expertise of the firm and its Participating Affiliates will benefit its clients. In this regard, the Investment Manager has certain portfolio management and client servicing teams at both the firm and at Participating Affiliates (through subadvisory or other intercompany arrangements) operating jointly to provide a better client experience. These joint teams use expanded and shared capabilities, including the sharing of research and other information by investment personnel ( e.g. , portfolio managers and analysts) relating to economic perspectives, market analysis and equity and fixed income securities analysis.
Participating Affiliates may provide certain advisory and trading-related services to certain of the Investment Manager’s accounts, including the Funds. The Investment Manager may also provide similar services to certain accounts of Participating Affiliates. The Investment Manager believes that local trading in certain local markets will benefit its clients, including the Funds. However, such services may result in potential conflicts of interest to such accounts.
The Investment Manager has portfolio management teams in its multiple geographic locations that may share research information regarding leveraged loans. The Investment Manager operates separate and independent trading desks in these locations for the purpose of purchasing and selling leveraged loans. As a result, the Investment Manager does not aggregate orders in leveraged loans across portfolio management teams. For example, funds and other client accounts being managed by these portfolio management teams may purchase and sell the same leveraged loan in the secondary market on the same day at different times and at different prices. There is also the potential for a particular account or group of accounts, including a Fund, to forego an opportunity or to receive a different allocation (either larger or smaller) than might otherwise be obtained if the Investment Manager were to aggregate trades in leveraged loans across the portfolio management teams. Although the Investment Manager does not aggregate orders in leveraged loans across its portfolio management teams in the multiple geographic locations, it operates in this structure subject to its duty to seek best execution.
The Funds may participate, if and when practicable, in bidding for the purchase of portfolio securities directly from an issuer in order to take advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of a bidding group. A Fund will engage in this practice, however, only when the Investment Manager, in its sole discretion, believes such practice to be otherwise in such Fund’s interests.
The Funds will not execute portfolio transactions through, or buy or sell portfolio securities from or to the Investment Manager and its affiliates acting as principal (including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements), except to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or order. However, the Investment Manager is authorized to allocate buy and sell orders for portfolio securities to certain broker-dealers and financial institutions, including, in the case of agency transactions, broker-dealers and financial institutions that are affiliated with Ameriprise Financial. To the extent that a Fund executes any securities trades with an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial, such Fund does so in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act and the procedures
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 174

 

that such Fund has adopted pursuant to the rule. In this regard, for each transaction, the Board will determine that the transaction is effected in accordance with the Funds’ Rule 17e-1 procedures, which require: (i) the transaction resulted in prices for and execution of securities transactions at least as favorable to the particular Fund as those likely to be derived from a non-affiliated qualified broker-dealer; (ii) the affiliated broker-dealer charged the Fund commission rates consistent with those charged by the affiliated broker-dealer in similar transactions to clients comparable to the Fund and that are not affiliated with the broker-dealer in question; and (iii) the fees, commissions or other remuneration paid by the Fund did not exceed 2% of the sales price of the securities if the sale was effected in connection with a secondary distribution, or 1% of the purchase or sale price of such securities if effected in other than a secondary distribution.
Certain affiliates of Ameriprise Financial may have deposit, loan or commercial banking relationships with the corporate users of facilities financed by industrial development revenue bonds or private activity bonds bought by certain of the Funds. Ameriprise Financial or certain of its affiliates may serve as trustee, custodian, tender agent, guarantor, placement agent, underwriter, or in some other capacity, with respect to certain issues of securities. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may buy securities from a member of an underwriting syndicate in which an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial is a member. The Funds have adopted procedures pursuant to Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act, and intend to comply with the requirements of Rule 10f-3, in connection with any purchases of securities that may be subject to Rule 10f-3.
Given the breadth of the Investment Manager’s investment management activities, investment decisions for the Funds are not always made independently from those other investment companies and accounts advised or managed by the Investment Manager. To the extent permitted by law, when a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of one or more of the Funds and another investment portfolio, investment company or account, the Investment Manager may aggregate the securities to be sold or bought for the Funds with those to be sold or bought for other investment portfolios, investment companies or accounts in executing transactions, and such transactions will be averaged as to price and available investments allocated as to amount in a manner which the Investment Manager believes to be equitable to the Funds and such other investment portfolio, investment company or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by the Fund.
See Investment Management and Other Services – Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates – Certain Conflicts of Interest for more information about these and other conflicts of interest.
Brokerage Commissions
The following charts reflect the amounts of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds for the three most recently completed fiscal years. In certain instances, the Funds may pay brokerage commissions to broker-dealers that are affiliates of Ameriprise Financial. As indicated above, all such transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions to affiliates are done in compliance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.
Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid by the Funds
The following chart reflects the aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds for the three most recently completed fiscal years. Differences, year to year, in the amount of brokerage commissions paid by a Fund were primarily the result of increased market volatility as well as shareholder purchase and redemption activity in the Fund.
Total Brokerage Commissions
  Total Brokerage Commissions
Fund 2018 2017 2016
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – Aggressive Portfolio $55,365 $83,291 $86,506
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund 134,124 70,905 50,236
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund 1,491,314 3,749,005 2,421,231
VP – Balanced Fund 357,414 292,408 338,720
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund 6,426 18,373 16,741
VP – Centersquare Real Estate Fund 408,011 585,256 658,464
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund 168,923 171,833 543,074
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund 0 0 0
VP – Conservative Portfolio 25,566 28,247 10,682
VP – Core Equity Fund 96,300 117,119 115,938
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 175

 

  Total Brokerage Commissions
Fund 2018 2017 2016
VP – DFA International Value Fund $355,236 $306,378 $268,766
VP – Disciplined Core Fund 2,563,472 3,049,456 2,831,001
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund 1,664,257 1,085,806 1,033,860
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund 1,446 790 516
VP – Emerging Markets Fund 879,972 1,170,699 2,829,963
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund 12,284 31,281 38,184
VP – Government Money Market Fund 0 0 0
VP – High Yield Bond Fund 3,530 2,335 1,302
VP – Income Opportunities Fund 4,234 2,300 2,142
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund 300,320 298,808 355,754
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund 266,935 418,568 535,099
VP – Large Cap Index Fund 23,748 28,576 6,462
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund 46,576 54,273 37,095
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund 132,493 453,048 440,201
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund 414,032 676,838 942,315
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund 423,723 408,242 1,209,239
VP – MFS Value Fund 127,570 175,319 253,244
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund 35,607 451,753 565,006
VP – Moderate Portfolio 355,664 385,408 333,388
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio 142,490 215,077 158,813
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio 52,978 70,979 66,497
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund 598,347 816,876 989,058
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund 1,457,422 1,435,381 1,906,729
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund 728,210 1,142,296 2,987,662
VP – Overseas Core Fund 2,113,982 679,748 939,587
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund 0 1,050 0
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 872,236 916,100 764,454
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund 894,593 1,296,914 1,665,452
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund 369,901 (a) N/A N/A
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund 207,447 208,766 351,451
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund 272,119 219,357 192,809
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund 31,429 73,163 163,830
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund 35,421 78,188 112,012
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund 254,894 489,954 663,534
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 70,515 51,446 29,656
VP – U.S. Equities Fund 2,139,543 3,028,616 4,222,557
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 48,112 110,939 165,925
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund 252,119 326,556 322,678
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund 22,583 25,584 14,533
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund 415,697 362,194 129,783
(a) For the period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 176

 

Brokerage Commissions Paid to Brokers Affiliated with the Investment Manager
Affiliates of the Investment Manager may engage in brokerage and other securities transactions on behalf of a Fund according to procedures adopted by the Board and to the extent consistent with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. Subject to approval by the Board, the same conditions apply to transactions with broker-dealer affiliates of any Fund subadviser. The Investment Manager will use an affiliate only if (i) the Investment Manager determines that the Fund will receive prices and executions at least as favorable, under the circumstances, as those offered by qualified independent brokers performing similar brokerage and other services for the Fund and (ii) the affiliate charges the Fund commission rates consistent with those the affiliate charges comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions and if such use is consistent with terms of the Management Agreement.
No brokerage commissions were paid by the Funds in the last three fiscal periods to brokers affiliated with the Funds' Investment Manager or any subadvisers.
Directed Brokerage
The Funds or the Investment Manager, through an agreement or understanding with a broker-dealer, or otherwise through an internal allocation procedure, may direct, subject to applicable legal requirements, the Funds' brokerage transactions to a broker-dealer because of the research services it provides the Funds or the Investment Manager.
Reported numbers include third party soft dollar commissions and portfolio manager directed commissions directed for research. The Investment Manager also receives proprietary research from brokers, but these amounts have not been included in the table.
During each Fund’s last fiscal year (or period), the Funds directed certain brokerage transactions and paid related commissions in the amounts as follows:
Brokerage Directed for Research
  Brokerage directed for research
Fund Amount of Transactions Amount of Commissions Imputed or Paid
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – Aggressive Portfolio $0 $0
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund 0 0
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund 838,005,436 901,233
VP – Balanced Fund 664,291,036 237,500
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund 0 0
VP – Centersquare Real Estate Fund 168,990,092 59,141
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund 8,526,638 4,900
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund 0 0
VP – Conservative Portfolio 0 0
VP – Core Equity Fund 134,101,574 47,571
VP – DFA International Value Fund 0 0
VP – Disciplined Core Fund 3,728,998,702 1,304,977
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund 1,691,626,450 1,110,626
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund 0 0
VP – Emerging Markets Fund 328,162,839 650,112
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund 0 0
VP – Government Money Market Fund 0 0
VP – High Yield Bond Fund 0 0
VP – Income Opportunities Fund 0 0
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund 0 0
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund 816,682,513 216,472
VP – Large Cap Index Fund 89,417 51
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 177

 

  Brokerage directed for research
Fund Amount of Transactions Amount of Commissions Imputed or Paid
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund $0 $0
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund 345,927,494 77,591
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund 3,185,615,716 82,806
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund 2,184,906,182 112,740
VP – MFS Value Fund 529,432,654 34,486
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund 64,038,689 24,635
VP – Moderate Portfolio 0 0
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio 0 0
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio 0 0
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund 748,446,698 224,558
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund 493,137,726 163,266
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund 1,118,259,039 726,285
VP – Overseas Core Fund 313,468,165 347,652
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund 0 0
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund 533,122,849 350,134
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund 451,555,937 554,699
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund 511,193,569 (a) 169,297 (a)
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund 49,532,800 52,996
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund 335,454,508 167,410
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund 4,224,191 5,710
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund 30,232,327 17,762
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund 168,547,115 41,199
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund 0 0
VP – U.S. Equities Fund 492,810,064 399,209
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund 0 0
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund 411,202,933 130,741
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund 0 0
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund 363,662,549 96,186
(a) For the period from January 4, 2018 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2018.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 178

 

Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers
In certain cases, the Funds, as part of their principal investment strategies, or otherwise as a permissible investment, will invest in the common stock or debt obligations of the regular broker-dealers that the Investment Manager uses to transact brokerage for the Funds.
As of each Fund’s last fiscal year (or period) end, the Funds owned securities of their “regular brokers or dealers” or their parents, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act, as shown in the table below:
Investments in Securities of Regular Brokers or Dealers
Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31, 2018
CTIVP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund Bear Stearns Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust $4,956,317
Citigroup, Inc. $19,146,554
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $4,369,998
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage-Backed Trust $805,463
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates $2,234,184
Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd. $3,409,022
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust $3,243,358
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $17,639,974
Jefferies Group LLC $2,571,714
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $16,893,220
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $23,240,789
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust $9,465,687
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust $1,734,279
Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $9,868,678
Morgan Stanley $15,535,401
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust $6,479,941
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust $13,137,128
PNC Bank NA $1,754,860
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(The) $1,863,538
CTIVP – AQR International Core Equity Fund None N/A
CTIVP – BlackRock Global Inflation Protected Securities Fund None N/A
CTIVP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund None N/A
CTIVP – DFA International Value Fund Credit Suisse Group AG $2,481,931
CTIVP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. $26,438
Eaton Vance Corp. $2,615,281
CTIVP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund Citigroup, Inc. $18,155,509
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $3,975,790
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $9,819,791
Morgan Stanley $26,259,799
CTIVP – MFS Value Fund Citigroup, Inc. $30,675,106
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $27,401,545
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $75,264,141
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(The) $22,726,719
CTIVP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund None N/A
CTIVP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund None N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 179

 

Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
CTIVP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund Citigroup, Inc. $16,393,694
Franklin Resources, Inc. $15,921,488
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $70,559,736
Morgan Stanley $35,189,375
CTIVP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund Citigroup, Inc. $32,479,800
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $5,668,410
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates $9,546,821
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates $1,256,546
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. $154,559
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $13,383,602
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust $2,834,194
GS Mortgage Securities Trust $12,165,942
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $27,818,154
JPMorgan Chase Bank $23,390,689
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $713,189
JPMorgan Mortgage Acquisition Corp $9,882,387
Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust $3,068,047
Merrill Lynch Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust $1,985,827
Morgan Stanley $46,673,419
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust $1,834,240
PNC Bank NA $5,273,006
CTIVP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund E*TRADE Financial Corp. $8,383,274
CTIVP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund None N/A
CTIVP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund None N/A
VP – Aggressive Portfolio None N/A
VP – Balanced Fund Citigroup, Inc. $13,940,623
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $1,884,560
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $19,189,290
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $601,603
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Sec trust $229,065
Morgan Stanley $6,418,716
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust $1,376,177
PNC Bank NA $876,028
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust $1,407,065
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund None N/A
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund None N/A
VP – Conservative Portfolio None N/A
VP – Core Equity Fund Citigroup, Inc. $3,748,320
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $4,822,428
VP – Disciplined Core Fund Citigroup, Inc. $104,442,772
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $134,295,834
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund JPMorgan Chase & Co. $30,262,200
Morgan Stanley $12,886,250
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund None N/A
VP – Emerging Markets Fund None N/A
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $1,997,680
VP – Government Money Market Fund None N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 180

 

Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
VP – High Yield Bond Fund None N/A
VP – Income Opportunities Fund None N/A
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $35,950,917
Credit Suisse ABS Trust $12,572,954
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates $58,994,212
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust $19,212,521
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust $6,088,739
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $15,598,239
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $20,316,888
JPMorgan Resecuritization Trust $1,575,699
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust $6,594,935
Morgan Stanley Re-Remic Trust $67,489
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund Citigroup, Inc. $14,933,359
The Charles Schwab Corp. $12,336,362
VP – Large Cap Index Fund Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. $187,767
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. $532,183
Citigroup, Inc. $4,651,717
E*TRADE Financial Corp. $408,172
Franklin Resources, Inc. $322,938
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $2,114,352
Jefferies Group, Inc. (subsidiary) $178,530
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $11,877,425
Morgan Stanley $1,896,539
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(The) $1,973,792
Raymond James Financial, Inc. $351,066
The Charles Schwab Corp. $1,826,282
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund None N/A
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund None N/A
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund Raymond James Financial, Inc. $11,606,100
VP – Moderate Portfolio None N/A
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio None N/A
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio None N/A
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund Citigroup, Inc. $371,560
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $691,963
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $957,308
Morgan Stanley $307,824
VP – Overseas Core Fund None N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 181

 

Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund Bear Stearns Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust $366,874
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust $278,783
Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust $255,601
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities $7,043
Chase Funding Trust $1,350,570
Chase Mortgage Finance Corp. $850,809
Citigroup, Inc. $11,769,469
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust $360,007
Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust $2,684
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $613,999
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust $1,871,694
Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd. $1,115,937
Credit Suisse Group AG $1,427,097
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates $666,478
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. $144,845
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates $57,812
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust $16,589
GS Mortgage Securities Trust $7,824,618
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II $2,851,941
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $16,874,697
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $11,581,243
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $3,184,468
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust $9,284,302
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust $210
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust $1,833,097
Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust $4
Morgan Stanley $11,765,367
Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I $4,198,835
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust $934,526
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust $298,765
Morgan Stanley Re-Remic Trust $97,717
PNC Bank NA $554,817
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund Primerica, Inc. $3,291,068
Stifel Financial Corp. $2,483,957
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund Piper Jaffray Companies $1,977,044
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund JPMorgan Chase & Co. $33,328,835
Morgan Stanley $18,478,645
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund Citigroup, Inc. $35,140,500
JPMorgan Chase & Co. $41,488,500
Morgan Stanley $31,720,000
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund None N/A
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund None N/A
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund None N/A
VP – U.S. Equities Fund E*TRADE Financial Corp. $1,448,040
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 182

 

Fund Issuer Value of securities owned
at end of fiscal period
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. $9,095,212
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates $3,447,562
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates OA LLC $7,822,242
Jefferies Resecuritization Trust  
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust $161,970
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 183

 

OTHER PRACTICES
Performance Disclosure
Effective beginning with performance reporting for the December 31, 2011 year end, in presenting performance information for newer share classes, if any, of a Fund, the Fund typically includes, for periods prior to the offering of such share classes, the performance of the Fund’s oldest share class (except as otherwise disclosed), adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable, based on the expense ratios of those share classes for the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year for which data was available at December 31, 2011 or, for Funds and classes first offered after January 1, 2011, the expected expense differential at the time the newer share class is first offered. Actual expense differentials across classes will vary over time. The performance of the Fund’s newer share classes would have been substantially similar to the performance of the Fund’s oldest share class because all share classes of a Fund are invested in the same portfolio of securities, and would have differed only to the extent that the classes do not have the same sales charges and/or expenses (and any differences in expenses between share classes may change over time).
Prior to December 31, 2011, in presenting performance information for a newer share class of a Fund, the Fund would typically include, for periods prior to the offering of such newer share class, the performance of an older share class, the class-related operating expense structure of which was most similar to that of the newer share class, and for periods prior to the initial offering of such older share class, would include the performance of successively older share classes with successively less similar expense structures. Such performance information was not restated to reflect any differences in expenses between share classes and if such differences had been reflected, the performance shown might have been lower. Because, prior to December 31, 2011, the Funds used a different methodology for presenting performance information for a newer share class, such performance information published before December 31, 2011 may differ from corresponding performance information published after December 31, 2011.
Disclosure of Financial Support for VP – Government Money Market Fund
Disclosure of Financial Support. Effective on October 1, 2016, the Fund is required to disclose any occasions on which an affiliated person, promoter or principal underwriter of the Fund, or an affiliated person of such person, provided any form of financial support to the Fund. For these purposes, the term ‘‘financial support’’ includes any capital contribution, purchase of a security from the Fund in reliance on Rule 17a–9 under the 1940 Act, purchase of any defaulted or devalued security at par, execution of letter of credit or letter of indemnity, capital support agreement (whether or not the Fund ultimately received support), performance guarantee, or any other similar action reasonably intended to increase or stabilize the value or liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio; excluding, however, any routine waiver of fees or reimbursement of Fund expenses, routine inter-fund lending, routine inter-fund purchases of Fund shares, or any action that would qualify as financial support as defined above, that the Board has otherwise determined not to be reasonably intended to increase or stabilize the value or liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund is required to disclose additional information about the receipt of any such financial support on Form N-CR and to file this form with the SEC. Any Form N-CR filing submitted by the Fund is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov.
Portfolio Turnover
A change in the securities held by a Fund is known as “portfolio turnover.” High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater expenses to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestments in other securities. The trading costs associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect a Fund’s performance. For each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate, see the Fees and Expenses of the Fund — Portfolio Turnover section in the prospectuses for that Fund.
In any particular year, market conditions may result in greater rates than are presently anticipated. The rate of a Fund’s turnover may vary significantly from time to time depending on, among other factors, economic, market and other conditions.
See below for an explanation of any significant variation in a Fund’s portfolio turnover rates over the two most recently completed fiscal years:
For VP – Intermediate Bond Fund, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund experienced a lower rate of portfolio turnover than during the previous fiscal year. This was primarily due to a change to the portfolio management team in November of 2017.
For VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund experienced a lower rate of portfolio turnover than during the previous fiscal year. This was primarily due to an overall decline in market volatility.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 184

 

For VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund experienced a higher rate of portfolio turnover than during the previous fiscal year. This was primarily driven by WellsCap’s investment process, focused on active relative value management, amid the increased volatility and an enhanced opportunity set.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information
The Board and the Investment Manager believe that the investment ideas of the Investment Manager and any subadviser with respect to portfolio management of a Fund should seek to benefit the Fund and its shareholders, and do not want to afford speculators an opportunity to profit by anticipating Fund trading strategies. However, the Board also believes that selective disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings can, under appropriate circumstances, be made for purposes beneficial to the Fund and its shareholders or for other purposes under conditions that are designed to protect the interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
The Board has therefore adopted policies and procedures relating to disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities. These policies and procedures are intended to protect the confidentiality of Fund portfolio holdings information and generally prohibit the release of such information until such information is made available to the general public, unless such persons have been authorized to receive such information on a selective basis, as described below. It is the policy of the Fund not to provide or permit others to provide portfolio holdings on a selective basis, and the Investment Manager does not intend to selectively disclose portfolio holdings or expect that such holdings information will be selectively disclosed, except where necessary for the Fund’s operation or where there are other legitimate business purposes for doing so and, in any case, where conditions are met that are designed to protect the interests of the Funds and their shareholders.
Although the Investment Manager seeks to limit the selective disclosure of portfolio holdings information and such selective disclosure is monitored under the Fund’s compliance program for conformity with the policies and procedures, there can be no assurance that these policies will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information. Under no circumstances may the Investment Manager, its affiliates or any employee thereof receive any consideration or compensation for disclosing such holdings information.
Public Disclosures
The Funds’ portfolio holdings are currently disclosed to the public through filings with the SEC and postings on the Funds’ website. The information is available on the Funds’ website as described below.
For equity, alternative and flexible funds (other than the equity funds identified below) and funds-of-funds (equity and fixed income), a complete list of Fund portfolio holdings as of month-end is posted approximately, but no earlier than, 15 calendar days after such month-end.
For Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Small Company Growth Fund, a complete list of Fund portfolio holdings as of month-end is posted approximately, but no earlier than, 30 calendar days after such month-end.
For fixed-income Funds (other than money market funds), a complete list of Fund portfolio holdings as of calendar quarter-end is posted approximately, but no earlier than, 30 calendar days after such quarter-end.
For money market Funds, a complete list of Fund portfolio holdings as of month-end is posted no later than five business days after such month-end. Such month-end holdings are continuously available on the website for at least six months, together with a link to an SEC webpage where a user of the website may obtain access to the Fund’s most recent 12 months of publicly available filings on Form N-MFP. Money market Fund portfolio holdings information posted on the website, at minimum, includes with respect to each holding, the name of the issuer, the category of investment ( e.g. , Treasury debt, government agency debt, asset backed commercial paper, structured investment vehicle note), the CUSIP number (if any), the principal amount, the maturity date (as determined under Rule 2a-7 for purposes of calculating weighted average maturity), the final maturity date (if different from the maturity date previously described), coupon or yield and the value. The money market Funds will also disclose on the website its overall weighted average maturity, weighted average life maturity, percentage of daily liquid assets, percentage of weekly liquid assets and daily inflows and outflows.
Portfolio holdings of Funds owned solely by the Investment Manager or its affiliates are not disclosed on the website. A complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings is available semiannually and annually in shareholder reports filed on Form N-CSR and, after the first and third fiscal quarters, in regulatory filings on Form N-Q. These shareholder reports and regulatory filings are filed with the SEC in accordance with federal securities laws. Shareholders may obtain each Fund’s Form N-CSR and N-Q filings on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
In addition, the Investment Manager makes publicly available information regarding certain Fund’s largest five to fifteen holdings, as a percentage of the market value of the Funds’ portfolios as of a month-end. This holdings information is made publicly available through the website columbiathreadneedleus.com, approximately 15 calendar days following the month-end. The scope of the information that is made available on the Funds’ websites pursuant to the Funds’ policies may change from time
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 185

 

to time without prior notice. Certain fund marketing material, such as fund fact sheets, containing the largest five to fifteen holdings may be made available earlier than 15 days following month end. This information may not be available on the website for all Funds included in this SAI.
The Investment Manager may also disclose more current portfolio holdings information as of specified dates on the Funds’ website.
The Funds, the Investment Manager and their affiliates may include portfolio holdings information that already has been made public through a website posting or SEC filing in marketing literature and other communications to shareholders, advisors or other parties, provided that the information is disclosed no earlier than when the information is disclosed publicly on the funds’ website or no earlier than the time a fund files such information in a publicly available SEC filing required to include such information.
Other Disclosures
The Funds’ policies and procedures provide that no disclosures of the Funds’ portfolio holdings may be made prior to the portfolio holdings information being made available to the general public unless (i) the Funds have a legitimate business purpose for making such disclosure, (ii) the Funds or their authorized agents authorize such non-public disclosure of information, and (iii) the party receiving the non-public information enters into an appropriate confidentiality agreement or is otherwise subject to a confidentiality obligation.
In determining the existence of a legitimate business purpose for making portfolio disclosures, the following factors, among others, are considered: (i) any prior disclosure must be consistent with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the fiduciary duties of the Investment Manager; (ii) any conflicts of interest between the interests of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Manager, the Funds’ Distributor or any affiliated person of a Fund, the Investment Manager or Distributor on the other; and (iii) any prior disclosure to a third party, although subject to a confidentiality agreement, would not make conduct lawful that is otherwise unlawful.
Fund complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed between and among the following persons (collectively, Affiliates and Agents) for legitimate business purposes within the scope of their official duties and responsibilities, subject to Fund policies and procedures designed to prevent the misuse of inside information, by agreement, or under applicable laws, rules, and regulations: (1) persons who are subject to the Code of Ethics or policies and procedures designed to prevent the misuse of inside information; (2) an investment adviser, distributor, administrator, transfer agent, or custodian to the Fund; (3) an accounting firm, an auditing firm, or outside legal counsel retained by the Investment Manager or its affiliates, or the Fund; (4) an investment adviser to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes when the adviser is in merger or acquisition talks with a the Investment Manager or its parent company; and (5) a newly hired subadviser to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed prior to the time it commences its duties.
The frequency with which complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed between and among Affiliates and Agents, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed between and among the Affiliates and Agents, is determined by such Affiliates and Agents based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the Funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure between and among Affiliates and Agents varies and may be as frequent as daily, with no lag. Any disclosure of Fund complete portfolio holdings to any Affiliates and Agents as previously described may also include a list of the other investment positions that make up the Fund, such as cash investments and derivatives.
The Funds also disclose portfolio holdings information as required by federal, state or international securities laws, and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities, or in connection with litigation or potential litigation, a restructuring of a holding, where such disclosure is necessary to participate or explore participation in a restructuring of the holding ( e.g. , as part of a bondholder group), or to the issuer of a holding, pursuant to a request of the issuer or any other party who is duly authorized by the issuer.
In certain limited situations, the Funds may provide portfolio holdings to an institutional client (or its custodian or other agent) when the client is effecting a redemption in-kind from a Fund and the Investment Manager believes that such disclosure will not be harmful to the Fund. In these situations, the Investment Manager makes it clear through non-disclosure agreements or other means that the recipient must ensure that the confidential information is used only as necessary to effect the redemption-in-kind and will maintain the information in a manner designed to protect against unauthorized access or misuse.
The Board has adopted policies to ensure that the Fund’s portfolio holdings information is only disclosed in accordance with these policies. Before any selective disclosure of portfolio holdings information is permitted, the person seeking to disclose such holdings information must submit a written request to the Portfolio Holdings Committee (“PHC”). The PHC, which is chaired by the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, is comprised of members from the Investment Manager’s legal department and
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 186

 

compliance department, and the Funds’ President. The PHC is authorized by the Board to perform an initial review of requests for disclosure of holdings information to evaluate whether there is a legitimate business purpose for selective disclosure, whether selective disclosure is in the best interests of a Fund and its shareholders, to consider any potential conflicts of interest between the Fund, the Investment Manager, and its affiliates, and to safeguard against improper use of holdings information. Factors considered in this analysis are whether the recipient has agreed to or has a duty to keep the holdings information confidential and whether risks have been mitigated such that the recipient has agreed or has a duty to use the holdings information only as necessary to effectuate the purpose for which selective disclosure may be authorized. Before portfolio holdings may be selectively disclosed, requests approved by the PHC must also be authorized by the Funds’ President, Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer or their respective designees. On at least an annual basis, the PHC reviews the approved recipients of selective disclosure and may require a resubmission of the request, in order to re-authorize certain ongoing arrangements. These procedures are intended to be reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of Fund holdings information and to prohibit their release to individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries that distribute the Fund’s shares, and other parties, until such holdings information is made public or unless such persons have been authorized to receive such holdings information on a selective basis, as set forth above.
Ongoing Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Arrangements:
The Funds currently have ongoing arrangements with certain approved recipients with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information prior to such information being made public. Portfolio holdings information disclosed to such recipients is current as of the time of its disclosure, is disclosed to each recipient solely for purposes consistent with the services described below and has been authorized in accordance with the policy. No compensation or consideration is received in exchange for this information. In addition to the daily information provided to a Fund’s custodians, subcustodians, Investment Manager and subadvisers, the following disclosure arrangements are in place:
Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Recipients under arrangements with the Funds or Investment Manager:    
Accudelta   Used to report returns and analytics to client facing materials.   Monthly
BlackRock, Inc.   Used for front office trading, risk and analytics as well as back office settlements and trade routing.   Daily
Bloomberg, L.P.   Used for portfolio analytics, statistical analysis and independent research.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Bolger, Inc.   Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
Boston Investors Communications Group, LLC (BICG)   Used for writing services that require disclosing portfolio holdings in advance of their dissemination to the general public.   Monthly
Capital Markets Services (CMS) Group   Used for intraday post-trade information when equity exposures (either via futures or options trades) are modified beyond certain limits for VP – Managed Volatility Funds.   As Needed
Catapult ME, Inc.   Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
Citigroup, Inc.   Used for mortgage decision support.   Daily
Donnelley Financial Solutions   Used to provide Edgar filing and typesetting services, and printing of prospectuses, factsheets, annual and semi-annual reports.   As Needed
Elevation Exhibits & Events   Used for trade show exhibits.   As Needed
Equifax, Inc.   Used to ensure that Columbia Management does not violate the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanction requirements.   Daily
Ernst & Young, LLP   Used to analyze PFIC investments.   Monthly
Eva Dimensions, LLC   Used as a research service for small cap stock.   As Needed
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 187

 

Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Eze Software Group, LLC   Used to facilitate the evaluation of commission rates and to provide flexible commission reporting.   Daily
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   Used to calculate portfolio performance attribution, portfolio analytics, data for fundamental research, and general market news and analysis.   Daily
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   Used as portfolio accounting system.   Daily
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., as agent to KPMG LLP   Holdings by Columbia Contrarian Core Fund and Columbia High Yield Bond Fund in certain audit clients of KPMG LLP to assist the accounting firm in complying with its regulatory obligations relating to independence of its audit clients.   Monthly
Harte-Hanks, Inc.   Used for printing of prospectuses, factsheets, annual and semi-annual reports.   As Needed
IHS Markit, Ltd.   Used for an asset database for analytics and investor reporting. Used to reconcile client commission trades with broker-dealers.   As Needed and Monthly
Imagine! Print Solutions   Used for commercial printing.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS)   Used for proxy voting administration and research on proxy matters.   Daily
Intex Solutions Inc.   Used to provide mortgage analytics.   Periodic
Investment Technology Group, Inc.   Used to evaluate and assess trading activity, execution and practices.   Quarterly
Investortools, Inc.   Used for municipal bond analytics, research and decision support.   As Needed
JDP Marketing Services   Used to write or edit Columbia Fund shareholder reports, quarterly fund commentaries, and communications, including shareholder letters and management’s discussion of Columbia Fund performance.   Monthly and As Needed
John Roberts, Inc.   Used for commercial printing.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Kendall Press   Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
Kynex, Inc.   Used to provide portfolio attribution reports for the Columbia Convertible Securities Fund. Used also for portfolio analytics.   Daily
Malaspina Communications, LLC   Used to facilitate writing management’s discussion of Columbia Fund performance for Columbia Fund shareholder reports and periodic marketing communications.   Monthly
Merrill Corporation   Used for printing of prospectuses, factsheets, annual and semi-annual reports.   As Needed
Morningstar Investment Services, LLC   Used for independent research and ranking of funds. Used also for statistical analysis.   Monthly, Quarterly or As Needed
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 188

 

Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
MSCI, Inc.   Used as a hosted portfolio management platform designed for research, reporting, strategy development, portfolio construction and performance and risk attribution. Used for risk analysis and reporting.   Daily
Print Craft   Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co.   Used to provide printing and mailing services for prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports and supplements. Used for commercial printing.   As Needed
RegEd, Inc.   Used to review external and certain internal communications prior to dissemination.   Daily
SEI Investments Company   Used for trading wrap accounts and to reconcile wrap accounts.   Daily
SS&C Technologies, Inc.   Used to translate account positions for reconciliations.   Daily
Sustainalytics US, Inc.   Used to affirm and validate social scoring methodology of Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund’s investment strategy.   Quarterly
S.W.I.F.T. Scrl.   Used to send trade messages via SWIFT to custodians.   Daily
Thomson Reuters Corp.   Used for statistical analysis.   Monthly
Threadneedle International Limited   Used by portfolio managers and research analysts in supporting certain management strategies, and by shared support partners (legal, operations, compliance, risk, etc.) to provide Fund maintenance and development.   As Needed
Universal Wilde   Used to provide printing and mailing services for prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, and supplements.   As Needed
Visions, Inc.   Used for commercial printing.   Daily, Monthly and Quarterly
Wilshire Associates, Inc.   Used to provide daily performance attribution reporting based on daily holdings to the investment and investment analytics teams.   Daily
Wolters Kluwer N.V.   Used to perform tax calculations specific to wash sales and used to analyze tax straddles (diminution of risk).   Monthly
    
Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Recipients under arrangements with subadvisers:    
Abel Noser, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers to provide trade execution cost analysis.   Daily or Quarterly
AcadiaSoft, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for transaction cost analysis.   Daily
Advent Software, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio management information systems.   Daily
Ashland Partners & Co., LLP   Used by certain subadvisers for organizational controls audit.   Annually
Axioma   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio analytics and analysis.   Daily
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 189

 

Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
Blackrock Financial Management, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for analytical services.   Daily
Bloomberg, L.P.   Used by certain subadvisers for trade order management, portfolio and risk analytics, research and analytical reporting, and aggregation. Used by certain subadvisers for trade management and compliance. Used by certain subadvisers for attribution analysis. Used by certain subadvisers for trade order management, portfolio and risk analytics and best execution evaluation. Used by certain subadvisers for attribution analysis. Used by certain subadvisers for analytical information and research. Used by certain subadvisers for market data analytics. Used by certain subadvisers for analytics, risk, attribution and client reporting. Used by certain subadvisers for attribution analysis, market and security data, and financial modeling. Used by certain subadvisers for transaction cost analysis on trades. Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio management research, strategy, and data analysis.   Daily
BNY Mellon, N.A.   Used by certain subadvisers for back or middle office asset servicing.   Daily
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.   Used by certain subadvisers for trade matching and SWIFT messaging and for accounting systems. Used by certain subadvisers for analytical information and research.   Daily
Capital IQ, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for market data analytics.   Daily
Charles River Development, Ltd.   Used by certain subadvisers for trade order management and compliance.   Daily
Citigroup, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for middle office operational services.   Daily
Clearwater Analytics, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for client reporting.   Daily
Eagle Investment Systems, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio accounting systems.   Daily
Electra Information Systems, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio holdings reconciliation.   Daily or Monthly
Ernst & Young, LLP   Used by certain subadvisers to provide general audit services.   Semi-annually
eVestment Alliance, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers to provide representative holdings to databases.   Quarterly
Eze Software Group, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for trade order and compliance management.   Daily
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 190

 

Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for quantitative analysis for marketing, performance and distribution; for analytical and statistical information; for portfolio and risk analytics; for portfolio performance attribution and risk analytics; for analytical information and research; for portfolio analytics, statistical information and client reporting; for portfolio and security attribution; for transaction cost analysis reporting; for analytical and research information, and for analytics, risk, attribution and client reporting.   Daily
Fidelity ActionsXchange, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for collecting and instructing on corporate actions.   Daily
Fidelity Corporate Action Solutions, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for collecting and instructing on corporate actions.   Daily
Financial Recovery Technologies, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for class action monitoring.   Quarterly
Financial Tracking Technologies, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for compliance monitoring.   Daily
FX Connect, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for FX derivatives reconciliation.   Daily
FX Transparency, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for TCA analysis.   Quarterly
Glass Lewis & Company, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for proxy voting services.   Daily
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for clearing treasury futures and swaps.   Daily
IHS Markit, Ltd   Used by certain subadvisers to confirm and settle bank loan trades, to match credit default swaps and interest rate swaps, and for trade execution analysis.   Daily
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for proxy voting services.   Daily
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio liquidity. Used by certain subadvisers as a pricing vendor.   Daily
InvestCloud, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for reporting.   Daily
Investment Technology Group, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for global trade management. Used by certain subadvisers for reconciliation of research commissions as part of commission management program.   Daily or Monthly
LightSpeed Data Solutions, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for post-trade settlement and trade communications.   Daily
Lipper, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio evaluation.   Daily
Liquidnet Holdings, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for commission tracking and reporting.   Daily
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 191

 

Identity of Recipient   Conditions/restrictions on use of information   Frequency of
Disclosure
MSCI, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio evaluation, for portfolio analytics and analysis, for analytical information and research, and for portfolio liquidity.   Daily
Omgeo, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for trade settlement and trade affirmations. Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio analytics.   Daily
RiskMetrics Solutions, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for analytical information and research.   Daily
Schwab Compliance Technologies, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for compliance automation systems and for monitoring periods of personal trading.   Daily
SEI Investments Company   Used by certain subadvisers for position, account information, back-office and accounting systems.   Daily
Seismic Software, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers to automate quarterly updates.   Quarterly
SS&C Technologies, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio accounting and risk management, for SWIFT messaging and reconciliation, and for portfolio management information systems.   Daily
State Street Bank and Trust Company   Used by certain subadvisers for portfolio liquidity. Used by certain subadvisers for investment operations.   Daily or Monthly
State Street Global Services   Used by certain subadvisers for collateral management and SWIFT messaging enrichment for daily trade communication.   Daily
Style Research, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for analytical information and research.   Monthly
Trade Informatics, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers for asset allocation and for trade execution and liquidity monitoring.   Daily
Tradeweb Markets, LLC   Used by certain subadvisers to confirm TBA, Treasuries and Discount Notes.   Daily
TradingScreen, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for FX trade matching and SWIFT messaging.   Daily
TriOptima, AB   Used by certain subadvisers for derivatives reconciliation and for daily reconciliations on collateral management.   Daily
Vermeg, N.V.   Used by certain subadvisers for the management of swap counterparty exposure.   Daily
Yield Book, Inc.   Used by certain subadvisers for analytics.   Daily
In addition, portfolio holdings information may be provided from time to time to the Funds’ counsel, counsel to the independent trustees and the Funds’ independent auditors in connection with the services they provide to the Funds or the trustees. Portfolio holdings information may also be provided to affiliates of the Investment Manager to monitor risks and various holdings limitations that must be aggregated with affiliated funds and accounts, among other purposes. The Investment Manager and the subadvisers use a variety of broker-dealers and other agents to effect securities transactions on behalf of the Funds. These broker-dealers may become aware of the Funds’ intentions, transactions and positions in performing their functions.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 192

 

Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments
The Funds, along with the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and the Investment Manager, may pay significant amounts to financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for providing shareholder services, including the types of services that would otherwise be provided directly by a mutual fund’s transfer agent. The level of payments made to financial intermediaries may vary by financial intermediary and according to distribution channel. A number of factors may be considered in determining payments to a financial intermediary, including, without limitation, the nature of the services provided to Contract owners, Qualified Plans and other qualified institutional investors authorized by the Distributor. These services may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, Contract owner or participant recordkeeping, Contract owner or participant reporting, Contract owner or participant transaction processing, maintaining Contract owner or participant records, preparing account statements and/or the provision of call center support and other customer services.
The Funds pay a service fee equal to all or a portion of the payments made by the Transfer Agent to Participating Insurance Companies and other financial intermediaries for services they provide to clients, customers and participants investing directly or indirectly in the Funds up to a cap approved by the Board from time to time. The service fee borne by a Fund will vary based on the terms of the service arrangement between the Transfer Agent and the Participating Insurance Companies and other financial intermediaries whose clients, customers or participants are invested directly or indirectly in the Fund. Funds that invest in other Columbia Funds will bear their own service fees as well as their proportionate share of the service fee paid by any Columbia Fund in which they invest. This service fee includes payments to the insurance companies affiliated with the Investment Manager. The Transfer Agent, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay, from its or their own resources, amounts in excess of the amount paid by the Funds to financial intermediaries in connection with the provision of these additional shareholder services and other services. Such payments may include payments to financial intermediaries that charge networking fees for certain services provided in connection with the maintenance of shareholder accounts through the NSCC.
In addition, the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may make lump sum payments to selected financial intermediaries receiving shareholder servicing payments as compensation for the costs of printing literature for Contract owners or participants, account maintenance fees or fees for establishment of the Funds on the financial intermediary’s system or other similar services.
As of April 2019, the Transfer Agent and/or other Ameriprise Financial affiliates had agreed to make shareholder servicing payments with respect to the Funds to the financial intermediaries or their affiliates shown below.
Recipients of Shareholder Servicing Payments Relating to the Funds from the Transfer Agent and/or other Ameriprise Financial Affiliates
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York
American General Life Insurance Company
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp of New York
Delaware Life Insurance Co of New York
Delaware Life Insurance Company
Genworth Life & Annuity Insurance
Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York
Great West Life & Annuity Company
Great West Life & Annuity Company of New York
Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company
Independence Life & Annuity Co
Integrity Life Insurance Company
Jefferson National Life Insurance Company
Jefferson National Life Insurance Company of New York
Liberty Life Assurance Company
Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company/CUNA
Midland National Life Insurance Company
National Integrity Life Insurance Company
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.
New York Life Insurance & Annuity Corporation
Principal Life Insurance Company
Principal National Life Insurance Company
RiverSource Life Insurance Company*
RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York*
Security Benefit Life Insurance
The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York
Transamerica Life Insurance Company
Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company
Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company
Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company of New York
Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company
Voya Insurance & Annuity Company
Voya Retirement Insurance & Annuity Company
 

* Ameriprise Financial affiliate
The Transfer Agent, the Distributor, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates may enter into similar arrangements with other financial intermediaries from time to time. Therefore, the preceding list is subject to change at any time without notice.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 193

 

Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries
Financial intermediaries may receive different commissions, sales charge reallowances and other payments with respect to sales of shares of the Funds. These other payments may include shareholder servicing payments to retirement plan administrators and other institutions in amounts described above under Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments.
The Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may pay additional compensation to selected financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, under the categories described below. These categories are not mutually exclusive, and a single financial intermediary may receive payments under all categories. A financial intermediary also may receive lump sum payments described above under Other Practices – Additional Shareholder Servicing Payments. Such payments may create an incentive for a financial intermediary or its representatives to recommend or offer shares of a Fund to its customers. The amount of payments made to financial intermediaries may vary. In determining the amount of payments to be made, the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates may consider a number of factors, including, without limitation, asset mix and length of relationship with the financial intermediary, the size of the customer/shareholder base of the financial intermediary, the manner in which customers of the financial intermediary make investments in the Funds, the nature and scope of marketing support or services provided by the financial intermediary (as described more fully below) and the costs incurred by the financial intermediary in connection with maintaining the infrastructure necessary or desirable to support investments in the Funds.
These additional payments by the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates are made pursuant to agreements between the Distributor and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and financial intermediaries, and do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of a Fund share, or the amount a Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales or the distribution fees and expenses paid by the Fund as shown under the heading Fees and Expenses of the Fund in the Fund’s prospectuses.
Marketing Support Payments
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates make payments, from their own resources, to certain financial intermediaries, including other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, for marketing support services relating to the Columbia Funds, including, but not limited to, business planning assistance, educating financial intermediary personnel about the Funds and shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the financial intermediary’s preferred or recommended fund list or otherwise identifying the Funds as being part of a complex to be accorded a higher degree of marketing support than complexes not making such payments, access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the financial intermediary, client servicing and systems infrastructure support and data analytics. Not all financial intermediaries receive marketing support payments. These payments are generally based upon one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary, gross sales of the Columbia Funds distributed by the Distributor attributable to that financial intermediary, compensation for ticket charges (fees that a financial intermediary firm charges its representatives for effecting transactions in Fund shares) or a negotiated lump sum payment.
While the financial arrangements may vary for each financial intermediary, the marketing support payments to each financial intermediary generally are expected to be between 0.05% and 0.40% on an annual basis for payments based on average net assets of the Funds attributable to the financial intermediary and between 0.05% and 0.25% on an annual basis for firms receiving a payment based on gross sales of the Funds attributable to the financial intermediary. The Distributor, the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates make payments with respect to a Fund or the Columbia Funds in materially larger amounts or on a basis materially different from those described above when dealing with certain financial intermediaries. Such increased payments may enable the financial intermediaries to offset credits that they may provide to their customers.
As of April 2019, the Distributor, the Investment Manager or their affiliates had agreed to make marketing support payments relating to the Funds to the following financial intermediaries or their affiliates.
Recipients of Marketing Support Payments Relating to the Funds from the Distributor and/or other Ameriprise Financial Affiliates
American United Life Insurance Company
Equitrust Life Insurance Company
Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company
Hartford Life Insurance Company
Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston
Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation
Symetra Life Insurance Company
 
The Distributor, the Investment Manager and/or their affiliates may enter into similar arrangements with other financial intermediaries from time to time. Therefore, the preceding list is subject to change at any time without notice.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 194

 

Other Payments
From time to time, the Distributor, from its own resources and not as an expense of the Fund, typically provides additional compensation to certain financial intermediaries that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the Funds to the extent not prohibited by laws or the rules of any self-regulatory agency, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Such compensation provided by the Distributor includes financial assistance to financial intermediaries that enable the Distributor to participate in and/or present at financial intermediary-sponsored conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other financial intermediary employees, financial intermediary entertainment and other financial intermediary-sponsored events, and travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with prospecting, retention and due diligence trips. The Distributor makes payments for entertainment events it deems appropriate, subject to the Distributor’s internal guidelines and applicable law. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event. Your financial intermediary may charge you fees or commissions in addition to those disclosed in this SAI. You should consult with your financial intermediary and review carefully any disclosure your financial intermediary provides regarding its services and compensation. Depending on the financial arrangement in place at any particular time, a financial intermediary and its financial consultants may have a financial incentive for recommending a particular fund, including the Funds, or a particular share class over other funds or share classes. See Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest for more information.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 195

 

CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
Description of the Trust's Shares
The Trust may issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of each Fund, without par value, and to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that Fund without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in that Fund and to divide such shares into classes. Most of the Funds are authorized to issue multiple classes of shares. Such classes are designated as Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. A Fund offers only those classes of shares listed on the cover of its prospectuses. Each share of a class of a Fund represents an equal proportional interest in that Fund with each other share in the same class and is entitled to such distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to that Fund as are declared in the discretion of the Board. However, different share classes of a Fund pay different distribution amounts because each share class has different expenses. Each time a distribution is made, the net asset value per share of the share class is reduced by the amount of the distribution.
Subject to certain limited exceptions discussed in each Fund’s prospectuses and in this SAI, a Fund may no longer be accepting new investments from current shareholders or prospective investors in general or with respect to one or more classes of shares. The Funds, however, may at any time and without notice, accept new investments in general or with respect to one or more previously closed classes of shares.
If investors other than Participating Insurance Companies, Separate Accounts, Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors were to purchase shares in a Fund, VA contracts or VLI policies funded by that Fund could lose their favorable tax status. See “ Taxation ” below.
Restrictions on Holding or Disposing of Shares
There are no restrictions on the right of shareholders to retain or dispose of the Funds' shares, other than the possible future termination of the Funds or the relevant class, except that the Funds may redeem Fund shares of shareholders holding less than any minimum or more than any maximum investment from time to time established by the Board. The Funds or any class of shares of the Funds may be terminated by reorganization into another mutual fund or by liquidation and distribution of their assets. Unless terminated by reorganization or liquidation, the Funds and classes will continue indefinitely.
Shareholder Liability
The Trust is organized as a business trust under Massachusetts law. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust disclaims any shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Funds and the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by a Fund or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of a Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances (which are considered remote) in which a Fund would be unable to meet its obligations and the disclaimer was inoperative. The risk of a Fund incurring financial loss on account of another series of the Trust also is believed to be remote, because it would be limited to circumstances in which the disclaimer was inoperative and the other series of the Trust was unable to meet its obligations.
Dividend Rights
The shareholders of a Fund are entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions declared for the Fund. No shares have priority or preference over any other shares of the Funds with respect to distributions. Distributions will be made from the assets of the Funds, and will be paid pro rata to all shareholders of each Fund (or class) according to the number of shares of each Fund (or class) held by shareholders on the record date. The amount of income dividends per share may vary between separate share classes of the Funds based upon differences in the way that expenses are allocated between share classes pursuant to a multiple class plan.
Voting Rights and Shareholder Meetings
Shareholders have the power to vote only as expressly granted under the 1940 Act or under Massachusetts business trust law. Each whole share (or fractional share) outstanding on the record date shall be entitled to a number of votes on any matter on which it is entitled to vote equal to the net asset value of the share (or fractional share) in U.S. dollars determined at the close of business on the record date (for example, a share having a net asset value of $10.50 would be entitled to 10.5 votes).
Shareholders have no independent right to vote on any matter, including the creation, operation, dissolution or termination of the Trust. Shareholders have the right to vote on other matters only as the Board authorizes. Currently, the 1940 Act requires that shareholders have the right to vote, under certain circumstances, to: (i) elect Trustees; (ii) approve investment advisory agreements; (iii) approve a change in subclassification of a Fund; (iv) approve any change in fundamental investment policies;
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 196

 

(v) approve a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) to terminate the independent accountant. With respect to matters that affect one class but not another, shareholders vote as a class; for example, the approval of a distribution plan applicable to that class is voted on by holders of that class of shares. Subject to the foregoing, all shares of a Trust have equal voting rights and will be voted in the aggregate, and not by Fund, except where voting by Fund is required by law or where the matter involved only affects one Fund. For example, a change in a Fund’s fundamental investment policy affects only one Fund and would be voted upon only by shareholders of the Fund involved. Additionally, approval of an investment advisory agreement or, if shareholder approval is required under exemptive relief, investment subadvisory agreement, since it only affects one Fund, is a matter to be determined separately by each Fund. Approval by the shareholders of one Fund is effective as to that Fund whether or not sufficient votes are received from the shareholders of the other series to approve the proposal as to those Funds. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each whole share held and a proportional fractional vote for each fractional vote held, on matters on which they are entitled to vote. Fund shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights. The Trust is not required to hold, and has no present intention of holding, annual meetings of shareholders. Special meetings may be called for certain purposes.
Certain Participating Insurance Companies have voting rights with respect to all Fund shares held in the separate accounts where the Participating Insurance Companies set aside and invest the assets of certain of their VA contracts or VLI policies. To the extent a matter is to be voted upon by Fund shareholders and to the extent required by federal securities laws or regulations, it is expected that the Participating Insurance Companies will: (i) notify each VA contract owner and VLI policy holder (each an “Owner” and collectively, the “Owners”) of the shareholder meeting if shares held for that Owner’s contract or policy may be voted; (ii) send proxy materials and a form of instructions that each Owner can use to tell its Participating Insurance Company how to vote the Fund shares held for such contract or policy; (iii) arrange for the handling and tallying of proxies received from the Owners; (iv) vote all Fund shares attributable to each Owner’s contract or policy according to instructions received from such Owner; and (v) vote all Fund shares for which no voting instructions are received in the same proportion as shares for which instructions have been received.
For further discussion of the rights of Owners and Qualified Plan participants concerning the voting of shares, please see your annuity or life insurance contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents, as applicable.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or a Fund, all shares have equal rights and shareholders of a Fund are entitled to a proportionate share of the assets of the Fund that are available for distribution and to a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a particular Fund that are available for distribution in such manner and on such basis as the Board may determine.
Preemptive Rights
There are no preemptive rights associated with Fund shares.
Conversion Rights
Conversion features and exchange privileges, if applicable, are described in the Funds’ prospectuses.
Redemptions
The Fund’s dividend, distribution and redemption policies can be found in its prospectus. However, the Board may suspend the right of shareholders to sell shares when permitted or required to do so by law or compel sales of shares in certain cases.
Sinking Fund Provisions
The Trust has no sinking fund provisions.
Calls or Assessment
All Fund shares are issued in uncertificated form only and when issued will be fully paid and non-assessable by its Trust.
Conduct of the Trust's Business
Forum Selection. The Trust’s Bylaws provide that the sole and exclusive forums for any shareholder (including a beneficial owner of shares) to bring (i) any action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer or employee, if any, of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Trust or any of its Trustees, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the statutory or common law of the state in which the Trust is organized or any federal securities law, in each case as amended from time to time, or the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be within the federal or state courts in the state in which the Trust is organized.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 197

 

This forum selection provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the shareholder finds favorable for disputes with the Trust and/or any of its Trustees, officers, employees or service providers. If a court were to find the forum selection provision contained in the Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.
Derivative and Direct Claims of Shareholders. The Trust’s Bylaws contain provisions regarding derivative and direct claims of shareholders. As used in the Bylaws, a “direct” shareholder claim refers to (i) a claim based upon alleged violations of a shareholder’s individual rights independent of any harm to the Trust, including a shareholder’s voting rights under the Bylaws; rights to receive a dividend payment as may be declared from time to time; rights to inspect books and records; or other similar rights personal to the shareholder and independent of any harm to the Trust; and (ii) a claim for which a direct shareholder action is expressly provided under the U.S. federal securities laws. Any other claim asserted by a shareholder, including without limitation any claims purporting to be brought on behalf of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust, is considered a “derivative” claim as used in the Bylaws.
A shareholder may not bring or maintain any court action or other proceeding asserting a derivative claim or any claim asserted on behalf of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust without first making demand on the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring or maintain such action, proceeding or claim. Such demand shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees, unless the shareholder makes a specific showing that irreparable nonmonetary injury to the Trust would otherwise result.
The Trustees of the Trust shall consider any demand or request within 90 days of its receipt by the Trust or inform claimants within such time that further review and consideration is required, in which case the Trustees shall have an additional 120 days to respond. In their sole discretion, the Trustees may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class of shares, as appropriate. Any decision by the Trustees to settle or to authorize (or not to settle or to authorize) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholder seeking authorization.
Any person purchasing or otherwise holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions. These provisions may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim against the Trustees, officers or other employees of the Trust and/or its service providers.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 198

 

Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
Purchase and Redemption
An investor may buy, sell and transfer shares in the Funds utilizing the methods, and subject to the restrictions, described in the Funds’ prospectuses. The following information supplements information in the Funds’ prospectuses.
Fund shares are made available to serve as the underlying investment vehicles for VA contract and VLI policy separate accounts issued by Participating Insurance Companies, for Qualified Plans and for certain other eligible investors. Shares of the Funds are sold at net asset value without the imposition of a sales charge. The separate accounts of the Participating Insurance Companies or Qualified Plan sponsor place orders to purchase and redeem shares of the Funds based on, among other things, the amount of premium payments to be invested and the amount of surrender and transfer requests to be effected on that day pursuant to the contracts. In addition, in no instance will the Funds be made available to life insurance separate accounts without the Trust having received any necessary SEC consents or approvals. It is conceivable that in the future it may be disadvantageous for VA contract separate accounts and VLI policy separate accounts to invest in the Funds simultaneously. Although the Trust and the Funds do not currently foresee any such disadvantages either to VA contract owners or VLI policy owners, the Trust’s Board intends to monitor events in order to identify any material conflicts between such VA contract owners and VLI policy owners and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response thereto. If the Board were to conclude that separate funds should be established for VLI policy and VA contract separate accounts, the VLI policy and VA contract owners would not bear any expenses attendant to the establishment of such separate funds.
Purchases and redemptions of shares of the Funds may be effected on a Business Day. The Trust and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase or redemption order. The issuance of shares is recorded on the books of the Trust, and share certificates are not issued. Purchase orders for shares in the Funds that are received by the Distributor or by the Transfer Agent before the end of the Business Day (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) are priced according to the net asset value determined on that day but are not executed until 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day on which immediately available funds in payment of the purchase price are received by the Fund’s Custodian. Redemption orders for sales of Fund shares received in good form (as defined in the Fund's prospectus) by the Distributor or by the Transfer Agent before the end of the Business Day are priced according to the net asset value determined on that day. The Business Day that applies to your purchase or redemption order is also called the trade date.
Redemption proceeds are normally remitted in Federal funds wired to the redeeming Participating Insurance Company or Qualified Plan sponsor within two Business Days following receipt of the order. It is the responsibility of the Distributor to transmit orders it receives to the Trust. No charge for wiring redemption payments is imposed by the Trust. Redemption orders are effected at the net asset value per share next determined after acceptance of the order by the Transfer Agent.
Should a Fund stop selling shares, the Board may make a deduction from the value of the assets held by the Fund to cover the cost of future liquidations of the assets so as to distribute these costs fairly among all shareholders.
The Trust also may make payment for sales in readily marketable securities or other property if it is appropriate to do so in light of the Trust’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.
Under the 1940 Act, the Funds may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for shares during any period when (i) trading on the NYSE is restricted by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (ii) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (iii) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension; (iv) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC. (The Funds may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of their shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).
The Trust has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, as a result of which each Fund is obligated to redeem shares, subject to the exceptions listed above, with respect to any one shareholder during any 90-day period, solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of each Fund at the beginning of the period. Although redemptions in excess of this limitation would normally be paid in cash, the Fund reserves the right to make these payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets in case of an emergency, or if the payment of a redemption in cash would be detrimental to the existing shareholders of the Fund as determined by the Board. In these circumstances, the securities distributed would be valued as set forth in this SAI. Should a Fund distribute securities, a shareholder may incur brokerage fees or other transaction costs in converting the securities to cash.
The timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying Fund shares could prevent a Fund from always being fully invested. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to investors redeeming Fund shares could require large ready reserves of uninvested cash to meet shareholder redemptions. Either situation could adversely impact a Fund’s performance.
199

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
The Funds are required to comply with various anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Consequently, the Funds may request additional required information from you to verify your identity. Your application will be rejected if it does not contain your name, social security number, date of birth and permanent street address. If at any time the Funds believe a shareholder may be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of suspicious persons, the Funds may choose not to establish a new account or may be required to “freeze” a shareholder’s account. The Funds also may be required to provide a governmental agency with information about transactions that have occurred in a shareholder’s account or to transfer monies received to establish a new account, transfer an existing account or transfer the proceeds of an existing account to a governmental agency. In some circumstances, the law may not permit the Funds to inform the shareholder that it has taken the actions described above.
Offering Price
The share price of each Fund is based on each Fund’s net asset value (NAV) per share, which is calculated separately for each class of shares as of the end of the Business Day.
For Funds Other than Money Market Funds. The value of each Fund’s portfolio securities is determined in accordance with the Trust’s valuation procedures, which are approved by the Board. Except as described below under “Fair Valuation of Portfolio Securities,” the Fund’s portfolio securities are typically valued using the following methodologies:
Equity Securities. Equity securities (including common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants and ETFs) listed on an exchange are valued at the closing price on their primary exchange (which, in the case of foreign securities, may be a foreign exchange) or, if a closing price is not readily available, at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. Listed preferred stocks convertible into common stocks are priced using an evaluated price from a pricing service. Over-the-counter equity securities not listed on any national exchange but included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price or, if the official closing price is not readily available, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Equity securities and ETFs that are not listed on any national exchange and are not included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies (other than ETFs) are valued at the latest net asset value reported by those companies as of the valuation time.
Fixed Income Securities. Debt securities (including convertible securities) with remaining maturities in excess of 60 days are valued at market value based on an evaluated bid, which may be obtained from a pricing service. If pricing information is unavailable from a pricing service or is not believed to be reflective of market value, then a security may be valued at a bid quote from a broker-dealer, or, if a bid quote from a broker-dealer is not available, at fair value. Debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued on the basis of amortized cost. Under this method of valuation, the security is initially valued at cost on the date of purchase or, in the case of securities purchased with more than 60 days remaining to maturity, the market value on the 61st day prior to maturity. Thereafter the fund assumes a constant proportionate amortization in value until maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security. If the amortized cost value of such securities is not reflective of market value, then the valuation process for debt securities with remaining maturities in excess of 60 days will be applied. Short-term variable rate demand notes are typically valued at par value. Newly issued debt securities may be valued at purchase price for up to two days following purchase or at fair value if the purchase price is not believed to be reflective of market value.
Futures, Options and Other Derivatives. Futures and options on futures are valued based on the settlement price as determined by their principal exchange or, in the absence of settlement price, they are valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask. Listed options are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. If market quotations are not readily available, futures and options are valued using quotations from broker-dealers. Customized derivative products are valued at a price provided by a pricing service or, if such a price is unavailable, a broker quote or at a price derived from an internal valuation model.
Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are generally valued at a price equal to the amount of cash invested in the repurchase agreement, or borrowed in the reverse repurchase agreement, respectively, at the time of valuation.
Bank Loans. Bank loans purchased in the primary market are typically valued at acquisition cost for up to two days, and are then valued using a market quotation from a pricing service or quote from a broker-dealer, or if such quotes are unavailable, fair value. For bank loans trading in the secondary market, prices are obtained from a pricing service and are based upon the average of one or more indicative bids from broker-dealers. ​
Private Placement Securities. Private placement securities requiring fair valuation are typically valued utilizing prices from broker-dealers or using internal analysis and any issuer-provided financial information.
200

 

Foreign Currencies. Foreign currencies, securities denominated in foreign currencies and payables/receivables denominated in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars utilizing spot exchange rates at the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued in U.S. dollars utilizing the applicable forward currency exchange rate as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE.
For Money Market Funds. In accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the securities in the portfolio of a money market fund are generally valued at amortized cost if such value is approximately the same as market value or at market value (based on market-based prices); or, if market value is not available, fair value. The amortized cost method of valuation is an approximation of market value determined by systematically increasing the carrying value of a security if acquired at a discount, or reducing the carrying value if acquired at a premium, so that the carrying value is equal to maturity value on the maturity date. Amortized cost does not take into consideration unrealized capital gains or losses.
The Board has established procedures designed to stabilize the Fund’s price per share for purposes of sales and redemptions at $1.00, to the extent that it is reasonably possible to do so. These procedures include review of the Fund’s securities by the Board, at intervals deemed appropriate by it, to determine whether the Fund’s net asset value per share computed by using available market quotations deviates from a share value of $1.00 as computed using the amortized cost method. Deviations are reported to the Board periodically and, if any such deviation exceeds 0.5%, the Board must determine what action, if any, needs to be taken. If the Board determines that a deviation exists that may result in a material dilution or other unfair results for shareholders or investors, the Board must cause the Fund to undertake such remedial action as the Board deems appropriate to eliminate or reduce to the extent reasonably practicable such dilution or unfair results.
Such action may include withholding dividends, calculating net asset value per share for purposes of sales and redemptions using available market quotations, making redemptions in kind, and/or selling securities before maturity in order to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity.
While the amortized cost method provides certainty and consistency in portfolio valuation, it may result in valuations of securities that are either somewhat higher or lower than the prices at which the securities could be sold. This means that during times of declining interest rates the yield on the Fund’s shares may be higher than if valuations of securities were made based on actual market prices and estimates of market prices. Accordingly, if using the amortized cost method were to result in a lower portfolio value, a prospective investor in the Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than the investor would receive if portfolio valuations were based on actual market values. Existing shareholders, on the other hand, would receive a somewhat lower yield than they would otherwise receive. The opposite would happen during a period of rising interest rates.
Fair Valuation of Portfolio Securities. In the event that (i) market quotations or valuations from other sources are not readily available, such as when trading is halted or securities are not actively traded; (ii) market quotations or valuations from other sources are not reflective of market value (i.e., such prices or values are deemed unreliable in the judgment of the Investment Manager); or (iii) a significant event has been recognized in relation to a security or class of securities that is not reflected in market quotations or valuations from other sources, such as when an event impacting a foreign security occurs after the closing of the security’s foreign exchange but before the closing of the NYSE, a fair value for each such security is determined in accordance with valuation procedures approved by the Board. The fair value of a security is likely to be different from the quoted or published price and fair value determinations often require significant judgment.
In general, any relevant factors may be taken into account in determining fair value, including but not limited to the following, among others: the fundamental analytical data relating to the security; the value of other financial instruments, including derivative securities traded on other markets or among dealers; trading volumes on markets, exchanges, or among dealers; values of baskets of securities traded on other markets, exchanges, or among dealers; changes in interest rates; observations from financial institutions; government actions or pronouncements; other news events; information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; nature and expected duration of the event, if any, giving rise to the valuation issue; pricing history; the relative size of the position in the portfolio; internal models; and other relevant information.
With respect to securities traded on foreign markets, relevant factors may include, but not be limited to, the following: the value of foreign securities traded on other foreign markets; ADR and/or GDR trading; closed-end fund trading; foreign currency exchange activity and prices; and the trading of financial products that are tied to baskets of foreign securities, such as certain exchange-traded index funds. A systematic independent fair value pricing service assists in the fair valuation process for foreign securities in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign exchange and the time at which a Fund’s NAV is determined. Although the use of this service is intended to decrease opportunities for time zone arbitrage transactions, there can be no assurance that it will successfully decrease arbitrage opportunities.
201

 

TAXATION
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Funds’ prospectuses entitled Distributions and Taxes . The prospectuses generally describe the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Funds and their shareholders. This section of the SAI provides additional information concerning U.S. federal income taxes. It is based on the Code, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as in effect as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, including changes with retroactive effect. The following discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax matters. The Funds may or may not invest in all of the securities or other instruments described in this Taxation section. Please see the Funds' prospectuses for information about a Fund's investments, as well as each Fund’s semiannual and annual shareholder reports.
The following discussion is generally based on the assumption that the shares of each Fund will be respected as owned by Participating Insurance Companies through their separate accounts, Qualified Plans, and other eligible persons or plans permitted to hold shares of a Fund pursuant to the applicable Treasury Regulations without impairing the ability of the Participating Insurance Company separate accounts to satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code (“Other Eligible Investors”). If this is not the case and shares of a Fund held by separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies are not respected as owned for U.S. federal income tax purposes by those separate accounts, the person(s) determined to own the Fund shares will not be eligible for tax deferral and, instead, will be taxed currently on Fund distributions and on the proceeds of any sale, transfer or redemption of Fund shares under applicable U.S. federal income tax rules that may not be discussed herein.

VP – Core Equity Fund will be treated as an entity disregarded from its owner for federal income tax purposes (a so-called “disregarded entity”). A disregarded entity itself is not subject to U.S. federal income tax nor to any annual tax return filing requirements.
The Trust has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the IRS as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. In addition, the following discussion and the discussions in the prospectuses address only some of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting investments in the Funds. In particular, because Participating Insurance Company separate accounts, Qualified Plans and Other Eligible Investors will be the only shareholders of a Fund, only certain U.S. federal tax aspects of an investment in a Fund are described herein. Holders of VA contracts and VLI policies (together, “Contracts”), Qualified Plan participants, or persons investing through an Other Eligible Investor are urged to consult the Participating Insurance Company, Qualified Plan, or Other Eligible Investor through which their investment is made, as well as to consult their own tax advisors and financial planners, regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund, the application of state, local, or foreign laws, and the effect of any possible changes in applicable tax laws on an investment in a Fund.
Taxation – Funds Intending to Qualify as Regulated Investment Companies
The following sections apply only to the following Funds and their shareholders: VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund, VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund, VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund, VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund, VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund, VP – Commodity Strategy Fund, VP – DFA International Value Fund, VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund, VP – Emerging Markets Fund, VP – Global Strategic Income Fund, VP – Government Money Market Fund, VP – High Yield Bond Fund, VP – Income Opportunities Fund, VP – Intermediate Bond Fund, VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund, VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund, VP – Overseas Core Fund, VP – Partners Core Bond Fund, VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund, VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund, VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund and VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund (collectively, the “RIC Funds”), and, for purposes of the following sections, the "Funds":
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
It is intended that each Fund qualify as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1 of the Code. Each Fund will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the provisions of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies generally will apply separately to each Fund, even though each Fund is a series of a Trust. Furthermore, each Fund will separately determine its income, gains, losses, and expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders under the Code, each Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year generally from (i) dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income attributable to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership, as defined below. In general, for purposes of this 90% gross income requirement, income derived
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 202

 

from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (generally, defined as a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its gross income from the qualifying income described in clause (i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes if they meet the passive income requirement under Section 7704(c)(2) of the Code. Certain of a Fund’s investments in master limited partnerships ("MLPs") and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), if any, may qualify as interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules do not apply to a regulated investment company, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.
The Fund must also diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the fair market value of its total assets consists of (A) cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and (B) other securities, of any one issuer (other than those described in clause (A)) to the extent such securities do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and are not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, the securities of any one issuer (other than those described in clause (i)(A)), the securities (other than securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
In addition, for purposes of meeting this diversification requirement, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” includes the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership and in the case of a Fund’s investments in loan participations, the Fund shall treat both the financial intermediary and the issuer of the underlying loan as an issuer. The qualifying income and diversification requirements described above may limit the extent to which a Fund can engage in certain derivative transactions, as well as the extent to which it can invest in MLPs and certain commodity-linked ETFs.
In addition, each Fund generally must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for the taxable year, which generally includes its ordinary income and the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income (if any) for the taxable year.
If a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, it generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any of the investment company taxable income and net capital gain ( i.e. , the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) it distributes to its shareholders. The Fund generally intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net capital gain. However, no assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation. Any investment company taxable income or net capital gain retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the corporate rate.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a capital gain dividend, its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a regulated investment company generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, its net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
In order to comply with the distribution requirements described above applicable to regulated investment companies, a Fund generally must make the distributions in the same taxable year that it realizes the income and gain, although in certain circumstances, a Fund may make the distributions in the following taxable year in respect of income and gains from the prior taxable year. If a Fund declares a distribution to shareholders of record in October, November or December of one calendar year and pays the distribution in January of the following calendar year, the Fund and its shareholders will be treated as if the Fund paid the distribution on December 31 of the earlier year.
If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution tests described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure including by paying a fund-level tax or interest, making additional distributions, or disposing of certain assets. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or were otherwise to fail to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company accorded special tax treatment under the Code for such year, (i) it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation without any deduction for its distributions to shareholders, and (ii) each Participating Insurance Company separate account invested in the Fund would fail to satisfy the separate diversification requirements described below (See Taxation – Special Tax Considerations for Separate Accounts of Participating Insurance
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 203

 

Companies ), with the result that the Contracts supported by that account would no longer be eligible for tax deferral. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company.
Excise Tax
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis by regulated investment companies in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. This excise tax, however, is generally inapplicable to any regulated investment company whose sole shareholders are separate accounts of insurance companies funding Contracts, Qualified Plans, Other Eligible Investors, or other regulated investment companies that are also exempt from the excise tax. If a Fund is subject to the excise tax requirements and the Fund fails to distribute by December 31 of each calendar year at least the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for that year (excluding capital gains and losses) and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for net ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year (or November 30 or December 31 of that year if the Fund is eligible to elect and so elects), and any of its ordinary income and capital gain net income from previous years that were not distributed during such years, the Fund will be subject to the excise tax. For these purposes, ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of property that would be taken properly into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or November 30 if the Fund makes the election described above) are generally treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a Fund with a December 31 year end that makes the election described above, no such gains or losses will be so treated. For purposes of the excise tax, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to corporate income tax in the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund generally intends to actually distribute or be deemed to have distributed substantially all of its ordinary income and capital gain net income, if any, by the end of each calendar year and, thus, expects not to be subject to the excise tax. However, no assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to the excise tax.
Capital Loss Carryovers
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a Fund’s net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, a Fund is able to carry forward a net capital loss from any taxable year to offset its capital gains, if any, realized during a subsequent taxable year.
If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-2010 losses”), those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryover losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term.
Capital gains that are offset by carried forward capital losses are not subject to fund-level U.S. federal income taxation, regardless of whether they are distributed to shareholders. Accordingly, the Funds do not expect to distribute any capital gains so offset. The Funds cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses (defined as deductions and ordinary losses in excess of ordinary income).
The total capital loss carryovers below include post-October capital losses, if applicable.
Fund Total
Capital Loss
Carryovers
Amount Expiring in Amount not Expiring
2019 Short-term Long-term
For Funds with fiscal period ending December 31
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund $62,440,931 N/A $13,436,449 $49,004,482
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund $66,774 N/A $0 $66,774
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund $7,551,266 N/A $1,327,652 $6,223,614
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund $453,619 N/A $453,619 $0
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund $11,293,583 N/A $3,448,042 $7,845,541
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund $4,898,722 N/A $1,740,892 $3,157,830
VP – High Yield Bond Fund $1,578,778 N/A $1,578,778 $0
VP – Income Opportunities Fund $5,142,405 N/A $2,446,694 $2,695,711
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund $4,982,600 N/A $0 $4,982,600
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund $40,736,965 N/A $22,024,201 $18,712,764
VP – Partners Core Bond Fund $44,172,243 N/A $28,664,846 $15,507,397
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund $36,902,236 N/A $32,534,494 $4,367,742
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund $4,923,497 N/A $1,774,853 $3,148,644
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund $12,604,425 N/A $2,621,580 $9,982,845
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 204

 

Taxation of Fund Investments
If a Fund invests in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default, special tax issues may exist for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as: (1) whether a Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation and, if so, (2) the amount of market discount the Fund should recognize, (3) when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, (4) when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and (5) how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. In particular, effective for taxable years beginning after 2017, Section 451 of the Code generally requires any accrual method taxpayer to take into account items of gross income no later than the time at which such items are taken into account as revenue in the taxpayer’s financial statements. Although the application of Section 451 to the accrual of market discount is currently unclear, the IRS and the Department of Treasury have announced their intent to issue proposed regulations providing that Section 451 does not apply to accrued market discount. If Section 451 were to apply to the accrual of market discount, a Fund would be required to include in income any market discount as it takes the same into account on its financial statements even if a Fund does not otherwise elect to accrue market discount currently for federal income tax purposes. This could accelerate the recognition of market discount in taxable income for Funds that have not filed an election to currently include accrued market discount into income, and for Funds that rely on the de minimis market discount rule. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status and eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by a Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options, futures contracts, forward contracts and similar instruments relating to foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code. Under future U.S. Treasury Regulations, any such transactions that are not directly related to a Fund’s investments in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy the 90% qualifying income test described above. If the net foreign exchange loss exceeds a Fund’s net investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting ordinary loss for such year will not be available as a carryover and thus cannot be deducted by the Fund in future years.
A Fund’s transactions in securities and certain types of derivatives (e.g., options, futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements), as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions may be subject to special tax rules, such as the notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash-sale, mark-to-market, or short-sale rules. Rules governing the U.S. federal income tax aspects of certain of these transactions, including certain commodity-linked investments, are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain respects. Accordingly, while each Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner it deems to be appropriate, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid fund-level tax. Certain requirements that must be met under the Code in order for a Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit the extent to which a Fund will be able to engage in certain derivatives or commodity-linked transactions.
If a Fund receives a payment in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. A dividends-received deduction is a deduction that may be available to corporate shareholders, subject to limitations and other rules, on Fund distributions attributable to dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations, which, if received directly by the corporate shareholder, would qualify for such a deduction. For eligible corporate shareholders, the dividends received deduction may be subject to certain reductions, and a distribution by a Fund attributable to dividends of a domestic corporation will be eligible for the deduction only if certain holding period and other requirements are met. A Fund's positions in certain equity-linked derivatives will potentially limit the Fund's holding period in an equity security to which such derivative relates for purposes of determining whether a dividend on the equity security is eligible for the dividends-received deduction. A Fund's positions in equity-linked derivatives will therefore potentially limit the portion of Fund distributions that are eligible for the dividends-received deduction. These requirements are complex; therefore, corporate shareholders of the Funds are urged to consult their own tax advisors and financial planners. Similar consequences may apply to repurchase and other derivative transactions. The Funds do not expect that distributions from any Subsidiary will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Income, proceeds and gains received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries ( e.g. , dividends or interest paid on foreign securities) may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries; such taxes would reduce the Fund’s return on those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 205

 

A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under an IRS notice, and U.S. Treasury Regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund’s income (including income allocated to the Fund from a pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly.
In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or certain other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax, and (iv) in the case of a Participating Insurance Company separate account supporting a Contract, cannot be offset by an adjustment to the reserves and thus is currently taxed notwithstanding the more general tax deferral available to Participating Insurance Company separate accounts funding Contracts.
Income of a Fund that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the Fund. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code.
As noted above, certain of the ETFs and MLPs in which a Fund may invest qualify as qualified publicly traded partnerships. In such cases, the net income derived from such investments will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described earlier for qualification as a regulated investment company. If such a vehicle were to fail to qualify as a qualified publicly traded partnership in a particular year, depending on the alternative treatment, either a portion of its gross income could constitute non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement, or all of its income could be subject to corporate tax, thereby potentially reducing the portion of any distribution treated as a dividend, and more generally, the value of the Fund's investment therein. In addition, as described above, the diversification requirement for regulated investment company qualification will limit a Fund’s investments in one or more vehicles that are qualified publicly traded partnerships to 25% of the Fund’s total assets as of the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year.
“Passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) are generally defined as foreign corporations where at least 75% of their gross income for their taxable year is income from passive sources (such as certain interest, dividends, rents and royalties, or capital gains) or at least 50% of their assets on average produce or are held for the production of such passive income. If a Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and interest charges on “excess distributions” received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of such equity interest in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders.
Elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections would require a Fund to include its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC (in the case of a “QEF election”), or to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its interests in the PFIC “to the market” as though the Fund had sold and repurchased such interests on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year, treating such gains and losses as ordinary income and loss (in the case of a “mark-to-market election”). The Fund may attempt to limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to minimize tax liability and/or maximize returns from these investments but there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Moreover, because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
Please refer to the Taxation – The Subsidiary section for further information about certain tax considerations relating to VP – Commodity Strategy Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations
Under U.S. Treasury Regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, including a Participating Insurance Company holding separate accounts, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct holders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company, such as Participating Insurance Companies that own shares in a Fund through their separate accounts, are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 206

 

companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Taxation Funds Expecting to Be Treated as Partnerships
The following sections apply only to the following Funds and their shareholders: VP – Aggressive Portfolio, VP – Balanced Fund, VP – Conservative Portfolio, VP – Disciplined Core Fund, VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund, VP – Large Cap Growth Fund, VP – Large Cap Index Fund, VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund, VP – Los Angeles Large Cap Growth Fund, VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund, VP – MFS Value Fund, VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund, VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund, VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio, VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio, VP – Moderate Portfolio, VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund, VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund, VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund, VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund, VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund, VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund, VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund, VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund, VP – U.S. Equities Fund, VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund and VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund (collectively, the “Partnership Funds”), and, for purposes of the following sections, the "Funds":
Fund Status
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each Fund expects to be treated as a partnership and not as an association taxable as a corporation, and does not expect to be a “publicly traded partnership” as defined in Section 7704 of the Code. Each Fund considers itself to be a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, each Fund and its shareholders should not be required to take into account the assets, operations, or shareholders of other series of the Trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes ( e.g. , for purposes of determining possible characterization as a publicly traded partnership). If a Fund were determined to be a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, (i) it generally would be subject to tax at the Fund level on its earnings and profits at regular corporate income tax rates, and (ii) each Participating Insurance Company separate account invested in the Fund would fail to satisfy the separate diversification requirements described below (See Taxation – Special Tax Considerations for Separate Accounts of Participating Insurance Companies ), with the result that the Contracts supported by that account would no longer be eligible for tax deferral.
As a partnership, a Fund is not itself subject to U.S. federal income tax (with the potential exception of tax assessed against a Fund during an IRS examination of a Fund’s income tax return, as described below). Instead, each shareholder will be required to take into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of a Fund’s income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and other tax items, without regard to whether such shareholder has received or will receive corresponding distributions from the Fund. Allocations of these tax items, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally will be made in accordance with the economics of the Funds. Such items, when allocated to a shareholder, will generally retain their character as qualifying for particular tax treatment (e.g., eligibility for dividends-received deduction) when received by a taxable shareholder such as a Participating Insurance Company; this “pass-through” of tax characteristics will generally not affect holders of Contracts funded by a Fund or participants in Qualified Plans investing in a Fund.
If the IRS examines a Fund’s federal income tax return for any tax year beginning after 2017, the examination will be conducted under the centralized partnership audit regime (“CPAR”), unless the Fund is eligible to elect out of the CPAR (the “opt-out” election), and so elects. The Fund is directly liable for any tax deficiency and penalties assessed in a CPAR examination, unless the partnership representative for the Fund elects to “push-out” partnership-level tax adjustments to the partners. For purposes of the CPAR, each Fund intends to designate Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (“CMIA”) as partnership representative, and in such capacity, CMIA has sole authority to act on behalf of the Fund, including the authority to opt-out of the CPAR, or push-out any CPAR adjustments.
Taxation of Fund Investments
Any investment by a Fund in foreign securities may subject the Fund and/or its shareholders (whether or not shareholders receive any distributions with respect to such investments), directly or indirectly, to taxation, including withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, or capital gains, and/or tax filing obligations in foreign jurisdictions. A Fund and/or its shareholders may otherwise be subject to foreign taxation on repatriation proceeds generated from those securities or to other transaction-based foreign taxes on those securities.
A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under an IRS notice and U.S. Treasury regulations that have not yet been issued, but which may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund’s income (including income allocated to a Fund from a pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a partnership, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the partnership consistent with their allocation of other items of income, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 207

 

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute UBTI to entities (including a Qualified Plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan, or certain other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax, and (iv) in the case of a Participating Insurance Company separate account supporting a Contract, cannot be offset by an adjustment to the reserves and thus is currently taxed notwithstanding the more general tax deferral available to Participating Insurance Company separate accounts funding Contracts.
In addition, to the extent that a shareholder has borrowed to finance shares of a Fund or a Fund holds property that constitutes debt-financed property (e.g., securities purchased on margin), income attributable to such property allocated to a shareholder that is an exempt organization may constitute UBTI. Certain of a Fund’s other investments or activities may also generate UBTI. Furthermore, the IRS may take the position that certain of a Fund’s investments in derivative instruments should be reclassified in a manner that gives rise to UBTI. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements may, under certain conditions, be characterized as secured loans, the proceeds of which could be used to acquire assets that would, therefore, give rise to debt-financed income. If a Fund generates UBTI, a tax-exempt shareholder in the Fund generally would be required to file a tax return and could incur tax liability on such shareholder’s allocable share of that UBTI. For tax years beginning after 2017, entities subject to UBTI are required to calculate UBTI separately for each unrelated trade or business, which may limit their ability to offset gains and losses from multiple unrelated trades or businesses. Each Fund currently does not expect to leverage its investments.
Qualified Plans and other tax-exempt shareholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the possible effects of UBTI on their own tax situation as well as the general tax implications of an investment in a Fund.
U.S. Tax Shelter Rules
A Fund may engage in transactions or make investments that would subject the Fund, its shareholders, and/or its “material advisors,” as defined in Treas. Reg. Sec. 301.6112-1(c)(1), to special rules requiring such transactions or investments by the Fund or investments in the Fund to be reported and/or otherwise disclosed to the IRS, including to the IRS’s Office of Tax Shelter Analysis (the “Tax Shelter Rules”). A transaction may be subject to reporting or disclosure if it is described in any of several categories of “reportable transactions”, which include, among others, transactions that result in the incurrence of a loss or losses exceeding certain thresholds or that are offered under conditions of confidentiality. Although each Fund does not expect to engage in transactions solely or principally for the purpose of achieving a particular tax consequence, there can be no assurance that a Fund will not engage in transactions that trigger the Tax Shelter Rules. In addition, a shareholder may have disclosure obligations with respect to its shares in a Fund if the shareholder (or the Fund in certain cases) participates in a reportable transaction.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors about their obligation to report or disclose to the IRS information about their investment in a Fund and participation in a Fund’s income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit with respect to transactions or investments subject to these rules. In addition, pursuant to these rules, a Fund may provide to its material advisors identifying information about the Fund’s shareholders and their participation in the Fund and the Fund’s income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit from those transactions or investments, and the Fund or its material advisors may disclose this information to the IRS upon its request. Significant penalties may apply for failure to comply with these rules.
In addition, an excise tax and additional disclosure requirements may apply to certain tax-exempt entities that are “parties” to certain types of prohibited tax shelter transactions. Qualified Plans and other tax-exempt shareholders should consult with their tax advisors in this regard.
In certain circumstances, a Fund and/or a Fund’s tax advisor may make special disclosures to the IRS of certain positions taken by the Fund.
Special Tax Considerations for Separate Accounts of Participating Insurance Companies (all Funds except VP – Core Equity Fund)
Under the Code, if the investments of a segregated asset account, such as the separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies, are “adequately diversified,” and certain other requirements are met, a holder of a Contract supported by the account will receive favorable tax treatment in the form of deferral of tax until a distribution is made under the Contract.
In general, the investments of a segregated asset account are considered to be “adequately diversified” only if: (i) no more than 55% of the value of the total assets of the account is represented by any one investment; (ii) no more than 70% of the value of the total assets of the account is represented by any two investments; (iii) no more than 80% of the value of the total assets of the account is represented by any three investments; and (iv) no more than 90% of the value of the total assets of the account is represented by any four investments (the “55%-70%-80%-90% diversification test”). Section 817(h) provides as a safe harbor
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 208

 

that a segregated asset account is also considered to be “adequately diversified” if it meets the regulated investment company diversification tests described earlier and no more than 55% of the value of the total assets of the account is attributable to cash, cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, and securities of other regulated investment companies.
In general, all securities of the same issuer are treated as a single investment for such purposes, and each U.S. Government agency and instrumentality is considered a separate issuer. However, Treasury Regulations provide a “look-through rule” with respect to a segregated asset account’s investments in a regulated investment company or partnership for purposes of the applicable diversification requirements, provided certain conditions are satisfied by the regulated investment company or partnership. In particular, (i) if the beneficial interests in the regulated investment company or partnership are held by one or more segregated asset accounts of one or more insurance companies, and (ii) if public access to such regulated investment company or partnership is available exclusively through the purchase of a Contract, then a segregated asset account’s beneficial interest in the regulated investment company or partnership is not treated as a single investment. Instead, a pro rata portion of each asset of the regulated investment company or partnership is treated as an asset of the segregated asset account. Look-through treatment is also available if the two requirements above are met and notwithstanding the fact that beneficial interests in the regulated investment company or partnership are also held by Qualified Plans and Other Eligible Investors. Additionally, to the extent a Fund meeting the above conditions invests in underlying regulated investment companies or partnerships that themselves are owned exclusively by insurance company separate accounts, Qualified Plans, or Other Eligible Investors, the assets of those underlying regulated investment companies or partnerships generally should be treated as assets of the separate accounts investing in the Fund.
As indicated above, the Trust intends that each of the RIC Funds will qualify as a regulated investment company or, in the case of the Partnership Funds, as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership,” under the Code. The Trust also intends to cause each Fund to satisfy the separate diversification requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations at all times to enable the corresponding separate accounts to be “adequately diversified.” In addition, the Trust intends that each Fund will qualify for the “look-through rule” described above by limiting the investment in each Fund’s shares to Participating Insurance Company separate accounts, Qualified Plans and Other Eligible Investors. Accordingly, the Trust intends that each Participating Insurance Company, through its separate accounts, will be able to treat its interests in a Fund as ownership of a pro rata portion of each asset of the Fund, so that individual holders of the Contracts underlying the separate account will qualify for favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment under the Code. However, no assurance can be made in that regard.
Failure by a Fund to satisfy the Section 817(h) requirements by failing to comply with the 55%-70%-80%-90% diversification test or the safe harbor described above, or by failing to comply with the “look-through rule,” could cause the Contracts to lose their favorable tax status and require a Contract holder to include currently in ordinary income any income accrued under the Contracts for the current and all prior taxable years. Under certain circumstances described in the applicable Treasury Regulations, inadvertent failure to satisfy the Section 817(h) diversification requirements may be corrected; such a correction would require a payment to the IRS. Any such failure could also result in adverse tax consequences for the Participating Insurance Company issuing the Contracts.
The IRS has indicated that a degree of investor control over the investment options underlying a Contract may interfere with the tax-deferred treatment of such Contracts. The IRS has issued rulings addressing the circumstances in which a Contract holder’s control of the investments of the separate account may cause the holder, rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets held by the separate account. If the holder is considered the owner of the securities underlying the separate account, income and gains produced by those securities would be included currently in the holder’s gross income.
In determining whether an impermissible level of investor control is present, one factor the IRS considers is whether a Fund’s investment strategies are sufficiently broad to prevent a Contract holder from being deemed to be making particular investment decisions through its investment in the separate account. For this purpose, current IRS guidance indicates that typical fund investment strategies, even those with a specific sector or geographical focus, are generally considered sufficiently broad. Most, although not necessarily all, of the Funds have objectives and strategies that are not materially narrower than the investment strategies held not to constitute an impermissible level of investor control in recent IRS rulings (such as large company stocks, international stocks, small company stocks, mortgage-backed securities, money market securities, telecommunications stocks and financial services stocks).
The above discussion addresses only one of several factors that the IRS considers in determining whether a Contract holder has an impermissible level of investor control over a separate account. Contract holders should consult with their Participating Insurance Companies and their own tax advisors, as well as the prospectus relating to their particular Contract, for more information concerning this investor control issue.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 209

 

In the event that additional rules, regulations or other guidance is issued by the IRS or the Treasury Department concerning this issue, such guidance could affect the treatment of a Fund as described above, including retroactively. In addition, there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to continue to operate as currently described, or that the Fund will not have to change its investment objective or investment policies in order to prevent, on a prospective basis, any such rules and regulations from causing Contract owners to be considered the owners of the shares of the Fund.
Certain Shareholder Reporting and Withholding Requirements (All Funds)
Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” (if any), on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”). Shareholders should consult their intermediaries through which a Fund investment is made (if applicable), as well as their tax advisors to determine the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.
Special Considerations for Contract Holders and Plan Participants
The foregoing discussion does not address the tax consequences to Contract holders or Qualified Plan participants of an investment in a Contract or participation in a Qualified Plan. Contract holders investing in a Fund through a Participating Insurance Company separate account, Qualified Plan participants, or persons investing in a Fund through Other Eligible Investors are urged to consult with their Participating Insurance Company, Qualified Plan sponsor, or Other Eligible Investor, as applicable, and their own tax advisors, for more information regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund.
The Subsidiary
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund (for purposes of this section, the “Fund”) intends to invest a portion of its assets in one or more Subsidiaries, each of which will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes. Foreign corporations, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless it is deemed to be engaged in a United States trade or business. The Subsidiary intends to conduct its activities in a manner that is expected to meet the requirements of a safe harbor under Section 864(b)(2) of the Code under which the Subsidiary may engage in trading in stocks or securities or certain commodities for its own account without being deemed to be engaged in a United States trade or business. However, if certain of the Subsidiary’s activities were deemed not to be of the type described in the safe harbor, the activities of the Subsidiary might constitute a United States trade or business.
Even if the Subsidiary is not engaged in a United States trade or business, it will potentially be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on all or a portion of its United States source gross income that is not effectively connected with a United States trade or business.
The Subsidiary will be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” for U.S. federal tax purposes. The Fund will be treated as a “U.S. Shareholder” of the Subsidiary. As a result, the Fund will be required to include in its gross income all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income”. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income”. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income. Under regulations, the annual net income, if any, realized by the Subsidiary and treated as received by the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the Fund’s qualification as a RIC under the Code either to the extent such net income is currently and timely distributed to the Fund or if such income is treated as received in connection with the Fund’s investments in stocks and securities. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income of the Fund and generally is not permitted to be carried forward to offset income of the Subsidiary in future years. The recognition by the Fund of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will not be taxable to the extent of its previously undistributed “subpart F income”, and will reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary.
In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs under the Code, the Fund must satisfy a 90% gross income requirement and an asset diversification requirement. These requirements are not applicable to the Subsidiary. For purposes of the asset diversification requirement, the Fund will limit its investment in the Subsidiary in the aggregate to 25% or less of the Fund's total assets as of the end of every quarter of its taxable year; the asset diversification requirement applies to the Fund's interest in the Subsidiary but not to the Subsidiary's investments.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 210

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Management Ownership
As of March 31, 2019, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of each class of shares of each Fund.
The tables below identify the names, address and ownership percentage of each person who owns of record or is known by the Trust to own beneficially 5% or more of any class of a Fund’s outstanding shares (Principal Holders) or 25% or more of a Fund’s outstanding shares (Control Persons). A shareholder who beneficially owns more than 25% of a Fund’s shares is presumed to “control” the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, and may have a significant impact on matters submitted to a shareholder vote. A shareholder who beneficially owns more than 50% of a Fund’s outstanding shares may be able to approve proposals, or prevent approval of proposals, without regard to votes by other Fund shareholders. Additional information about Control Persons, if any, is provided following the tables. The information provided for each Fund is as of a date no more than 30 days prior to the date of filing a post-effective amendment to the applicable Trust’s registration statement with respect to such Fund.
All shares of the Funds are made available for purchase by individuals only through Qualified Plans or products offered by life insurance companies. All the shares of the Funds are held of record by sub-accounts of separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies on behalf of the owners of VLI policies or VA contracts, by Qualified Plans, by the Investment Manager, by the general account of SunLife Insurance Company (SunLife) or by certain other eligible investors. At all meetings of shareholders of the Funds each Participating Insurance Company or Qualified Plan sponsor will vote the shares held of record by sub-accounts of its separate accounts only in accordance with the instructions received from the VLI policy, VA contract owners or Qualified Plan participant on behalf of whom such shares are held. All such shares as to which no instructions are received (as well as, in the case of SunLife, all shares held by its general account) will be voted in the same proportion as shares as to which instructions are received (with SunLife’s general account shares being voted in the proportions determined by instructing owners of SunLife VLI policies or VA contracts). Accordingly, each Participating Insurance Company or Qualified Plan sponsor disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the Funds held of record by the sub-accounts of its separate accounts (or, in the case of SunLife, its general account).
Funds with Fiscal Period Ending December 31:
Except as otherwise indicated, the information below is as of March 31, 2019:
Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
VP – Aggressive Portfolio COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
67.65% N/A (a)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
95.70% 95.05%
Class 4 94.27%
Class 1 31.81%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 4
5.73% N/A
VP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 82.77% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
33.76% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
9.34% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
7.58% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 211

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
7.66% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
25.03% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
95.37% N/A
VP – AQR International Core Equity Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 93.31% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.06% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
28.90% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
16.08% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
21.64% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
20.87% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
95.55% N/A
VP – Balanced Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
68.48% N/A (a)
Class 2 100.00%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 1
31.10% 93.49%
Class 3 93.49%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
6.51% N/A
VP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
98.70% N/A (a)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 212

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
91.18% 93.70%
Class 3 94.19%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
8.76% N/A
Class 3 5.81%
VP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 93.01% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.47% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
49.91% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
30.57% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.57% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
96.07% N/A
VP – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 63.94% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.43% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
48.75% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
31.66% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.86% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
96.04% 33.83%
VP – Commodity Strategy Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 93.26% (a)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 213

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
10.67% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
48.58% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
29.62% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.17% N/A
  NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY
CORP
ATTN CHRISTINE DEMPSEY
169 LACKAWANNA AVE
PARSIPPANY NJ 07054-1007
Class 2
62.78% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
29.91% N/A
VP – Conservative Portfolio COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
99.67% N/A (a)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
93.13% 93.97%
Class 4 94.66%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.87% N/A
Class 4 5.34%
VP – Core Equity Fund RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 1
100.00% 100.00%
VP – DFA International Value Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 88.18% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
20.44% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
14.71% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
27.82% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
27.47% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 214

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.83% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
5.15% N/A
VP – Disciplined Core Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 64.73% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.60% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.75% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
25.77% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
28.43% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.55% N/A
Class 3 93.91%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
6.09% N/A
VP – Dividend Opportunity Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 33.75% (a)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
7.83% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
40.99% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
43.67% N/A
  MIDLAND NATIONAL LIFE INS CO
4350 WESTOWN PKWY
WEST DES MOINES IA 50266-1036
Class 2
5.07% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
83.39% 56.51%
Class 3 94.92%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 215

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
5.08% N/A
VP – Emerging Markets Bond Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 38.50% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
57.85% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.98% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
10.30% N/A
  MIDLAND NATIONAL LIFE INS CO
4350 WESTOWN PKWY
WEST DES MOINES IA 50266-1036
Class 2
5.39% N/A
  NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY
CORP
ATTN CHRISTINE DEMPSEY
169 LACKAWANNA AVE
PARSIPPANY NJ 07054-1007
Class 2
82.35% 46.37%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
10.01% N/A
VP – Emerging Markets Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 44.90% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
10.61% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
65.80% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
18.18% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
95.20% 49.64%
Class 3 94.32%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
5.68% N/A
VP – Global Strategic Income Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
100.00% N/A (a)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 216

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
95.61% 94.22%
Class 3 94.09%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
5.91% N/A
VP – Government Money Market Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 28.95% (a)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 1
12.80% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
12.68% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
10.61% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.83% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
27.61% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
9.96% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
89.51% 59.22%
Class 3 93.26%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
10.47% N/A
Class 3 6.74%
VP – High Yield Bond Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
92.23% N/A (a)
  MIDLAND NATIONAL LIFE INS CO
4350 WESTOWN PKWY
WEST DES MOINES IA 50266-1036
Class 2
6.53% N/A
  NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
Class 2
12.89% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 1
7.19% 92.25%
Class 2 76.47%
Class 3 95.64%
VP – Income Opportunities Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 36.37% (a)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 217

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
8.21% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S
FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
10.01% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S FLEXIBLE
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
13.44% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
37.17% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
12.16% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
7.22% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
82.63% 50.53%
Class 3 94.92%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.83% N/A
Class 3 5.08%
  TALCOTT RESOLUTION LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY
PO BOX 5051
HARTFORD CT 06102-5051
Class 1
5.53% N/A
  VARIABLE SEPARATE ACCOUNT OF
ANCHOR NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE CO
2727-A ALLEN PARKWAY
ATTN: VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNTING
HOUSTON TX 77019-2107
Class 1
6.16% N/A
VP – Intermediate Bond Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 79.24% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.30% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
38.91% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
13.20% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
9.21% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 218

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.44% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
18.30% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.29% N/A
Class 3 94.06%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
5.68% N/A
Class 3 5.94%
VP – Large Cap Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 72.12% (a)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
50.15% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.72% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
23.00% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.86% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
21.61% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
23.58% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
42.47% N/A
Class 3 96.46%
VP – Large Cap Index Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 42.98% (a)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
91.61% N/A
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF NEW YORK
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
8.35% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 219

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S
FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
64.68% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S FLEXIBLE
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
32.49% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
91.57% 49.98%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
8.43% N/A
VP – Limited Duration Credit Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 79.98% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
24.49% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
14.19% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.40% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.88% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
29.47% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
91.93% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.94% N/A
VP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 81.50% (a)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
34.63% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 220

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S
FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.07% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.18% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
28.15% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
14.91% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
13.62% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
15.46% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 1
5.86% N/A
Class 2 59.74%
VP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 93.23% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.21% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
33.41% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
18.24% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
16.93% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.13% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
96.25% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 221

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
VP – MFS Blended Research Core Equity Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 85.16% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S
FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
13.45% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S FLEXIBLE
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.75% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
13.18% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
12.72% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.77% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
21.20% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
97.31% N/A
Class 3 94.09%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
5.91% N/A
VP – MFS Value Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 90.42% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
53.06% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
10.00% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
7.23% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.19% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 222

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.93% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
93.90% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.09% N/A
VP – Mid Cap Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 37.98% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
42.71% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
46.61% N/A
  KANSAS CITY LIFE INS
ATTN ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS-VARIABLE
PO BOX 219139
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9139
Class 2
16.00% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
81.02% 53.45%
Class 3 94.09%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
5.91% N/A
  TALCOTT RESOLUTION LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY
PO BOX 5051
HARTFORD CT 06102-5051
Class 1
5.52% N/A
VP – Moderate Portfolio COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
5.43% N/A (a)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
93.99% 94.08%
Class 4 94.15%
Class 1 94.53%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.01% N/A
Class 4 5.85%
VP – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.61% 94.34%
Class 4 94.05%
Class 1 98.56%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
5.39% N/A
Class 4 5.95%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 223

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
VP – Moderately Conservative Portfolio COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
98.43% N/A (a)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
93.74% 93.85%
Class 4 93.95%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.26% N/A
Class 4 6.05%
VP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 90.21% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S
FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.07% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.05% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
31.71% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
16.97% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
14.13% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
15.99% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
96.90% N/A
VP – MV Moderate Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Class 1
92.33% N/A (a)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 1
6.93% 93.33%
Class 2 93.33%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.67% N/A
VP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 91.65% (a)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 224

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.05% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
21.37% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
14.54% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
27.61% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
26.67% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
93.70% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
6.29% N/A
VP – Overseas Core Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 69.96% (a)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
9.46% N/A
  GE LIFE & ANNUITY ASSURANCE CO
ATTN VARIABLE ACCOUNTING
6610 W BROAD ST BLDG 3 5TH FL
RICHMOND VA 23230-1702
Class 2
25.21% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.81% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
55.32% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
28.66% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.38% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
39.83% N/A
Class 3 93.32%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 225

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
6.68% N/A
  TALCOTT RESOLUTION LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY
PO BOX 5051
HARTFORD CT 06102-5051
Class 2
16.16% N/A
VP – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 90.47% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.53% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
27.06% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
17.35% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
18.58% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
22.33% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
86.44% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
13.53% N/A
VP – Partners Small Cap Value Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 79.13% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.60% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
28.39% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
18.18% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
17.58% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 226

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
21.55% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
91.56% N/A
Class 3 94.98%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
8.40% N/A
Class 3 5.02%
VP – Select Large Cap Equity Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 94.66% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
7.74% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
35.32% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
22.27% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
14.25% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
15.08% N/A
VP – Select Large Cap Value Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 90.73% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S
FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.11% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S FLEXIBLE
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.56% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
12.56% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.92% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 227

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
21.98% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.08% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.69% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.44% N/A
Class 3 97.58%
VP – Select Mid Cap Value Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 60.45% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
44.00% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
47.10% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.62% 32.22%
Class 3 96.24%
VP – Select Small Cap Value Fund AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP
CARILLON LIFE ACCOUNT NY
5900 O ST
LINCOLN NE 68510-2234
Class 2
30.42% N/A
  GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY
FBO
8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class 1
19.26% N/A
  JEFFERSON NATL LIFE
10350 ORMSBY PARK PL STE 600
LOUISVILLE KY 40223-6175
Class 1
72.34% N/A
  KANSAS CITY LIFE INS
ATTN ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS-VARIABLE
PO BOX 219139
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9139
Class 2
12.47% N/A
  MERRILL LYNCH LIFE
VARIABLE ANNUITY
4333 EDGEWOOD RD NE # MS4410
CEDAR RAPIDS IA 52499-0001
Class 1
6.80% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
51.42% 76.40%
Class 3 94.97%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
5.03% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 228

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
VP – Seligman Global Technology Fund AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP
CARILLON LIFE ACCOUNT NY
5900 O ST
LINCOLN NE 68510-2234
Class 2
5.31% N/A
  GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY
FBO
8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2
GREENWOOD VLG CO 80111-5002
Class 1
95.33% 58.86%
Class 2 29.76%
  JEFFERSON NATL LIFE
10350 ORMSBY PARK PL STE 600
LOUISVILLE KY 40223-6175
Class 2
38.10% N/A
  KANSAS CITY LIFE INS
ATTN ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS-VARIABLE
PO BOX 219139
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9139
Class 2
12.75% N/A
VP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 89.70% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO U S
FLEXIBLE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.85% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.91% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
36.69% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
22.55% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.61% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
9.16% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
91.63% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
8.35% N/A
VP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 85.15% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
35.61% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 229

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.90% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.87% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.59% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
25.44% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.97% N/A
VP – U.S. Equities Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 95.80% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.20% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
40.30% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
16.00% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.64% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
12.24% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
15.09% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
96.12% N/A
VP – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 75.35% (a)
  DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
1601 TRAPELO ROAD SUITE 30
WALTHAM MA 02451-7360
Class 2
38.71% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 230

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
36.45% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
11.43% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.68% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
7.49% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
25.13% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
53.17% N/A
Class 3 94.66%
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 3
5.34% N/A
VP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 75.94% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
5.60% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
19.84% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
16.39% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
25.24% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
25.14% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
94.48% N/A
Class 3 97.46%
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 231

 

Fund Shareholder Name and Address Share Class Percentage
of Class
Percentage of Fund
(if greater than 25%)
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
5.51% N/A
VP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 90.39% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
60.24% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
12.80% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
10.10% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
8.50% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
91.53% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE NY FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE OF NY)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
8.43% N/A
VP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund COLUMBIA MGMT INVESTMENT ADVSR LLC
ATTN KATRINA MACBAIN
50807 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN
N/A
N/A 89.89% (a)
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
6.15% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
22.74% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR
VP MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
17.37% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
23.55% N/A
  JPMCB NA CUST FOR VARIABLE
PORTFOLIO MANAGED VOLATILITY
MODERATE GROWTH FUND
4 CHASE METROTECH CENTER 3RD FLOOR
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
Class 1
23.53% N/A
  RIVERSOURCE LIFE ACCOUNT FOR INSIDE
DISTRIBUTION (LIFE)
222 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CTR
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55474-0002
Class 2
95.81% N/A
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 232

 

(a) Combination of all share classes of Columbia Management initial capital and/or affiliated funds-of-funds’ investments.
The Investment Manager, a Minnesota limited liability company, is a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Other Columbia Funds managed by the Investment Manager may hold more than 25% of a Fund.
RiverSource Life Account for Inside Distribution (RiverSource Life Insurance Company) is a Minnesota corporation. RiverSource Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is a Colorado insurance company. Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc.
New York Life Insurance & Annuity Corporation is a Delaware Corporation. New York Life Insurance & Annuity Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 233

 

INFORMATION REGARDING PENDING AND SETTLED LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Funds are not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased Fund redemptions, reduced sale of Fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Funds. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUS OR IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH THE PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR PRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST(S). THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE TRUST(S) IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH AN OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 234

 

APPENDIX A — DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
The ratings of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch represent their opinions as to quality. These ratings are not absolute standards of quality and are not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold a security. Issuers and issues are subject to risks that are not evaluated by the rating agencies. When a security is not rated by one of these agencies, it is designated as Not Rated. Securities designated as Not Rated do not necessarily indicate low credit quality, and for such securities the Investment Manager evaluates the credit quality.
S&P’s Debt Ratings
Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*
An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
An obligation rated 'C' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.
An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
*Ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.
Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days – including commercial paper.
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 A-1

 

Table of Contents
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation's rating is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Moody’s Long-Term Debt Ratings
Global Long-Term Rating Scale
Aaa – Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa – Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A – Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa – Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba – Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B – Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa – Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca – Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C – Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Global Short-Term Rating Scale
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 (P-1) have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 (P-3) have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime (NP) do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
US Municipal Short-Term Debt and Demand Obligation Ratings
While the global short-term ‘prime’ rating scale is applied to U.S. municipal tax-exempt commercial paper, these programs are typically backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities and their short-term prime ratings usually map to the long-term rating of the enhancing bank or financial institution and not to the municipality’s rating. Other short-term municipal obligations, which generally have different funding sources for repayment, are rated using two additional short-term rating scales ( i.e. , the MIG and VMIG scales discussed below).
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 A-2

 

Table of Contents
The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate US municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels — MIG 1 through MIG 3 — while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.
The MIG 1 designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
The MIG 2 designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
The MIG 3 designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
The SG designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned: a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scale. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale, as shown in the diagram below, differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.
The VMIG 1 designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
The VMIG 2 designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
The VMIG 3 designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
The SG designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
Fitch’s Ratings
Corporate Finance Obligations – Long-Term Rating Scales
AAA: Highest credit quality.
‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very high credit quality.
‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit quality.
‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good credit quality.
‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB: Speculative.
‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B: Highly speculative.
‘B’ ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 A-3

 

Table of Contents
CCC: Substantial credit risk.
‘CCC’ ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.
CC: Very high levels of credit risk.
‘CC’ ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.
C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
‘C’ indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned ‘RD’ or ‘D’ ratings, but are instead rated in the ‘B’ to ‘C’ rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.
Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers or Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance
F1: Highest short-term credit quality.
Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good short-term credit quality.
Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3: Fair short-term credit quality.
The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B: Speculative short-term credit quality.
Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High short-term default risk.
Default is a real possibility.
RD: Restricted default.
Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
D: Default.
Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 A-4

 

Table of Contents
APPENDIX B — CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND PROXY VOTING PRINCIPLES
As active investors, well informed investment research and stewardship of our clients’ investments are important aspects of our responsible investment activities. Our approach to this is framed in the relevant Responsible Investment Policies we maintain and publish. These policy documents provide an overview of our approach in practice (e.g., around the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability research and analysis).
As part of this, acting as shareholders of a company, we are charged with responsibility for exercising the voting rights associated with that share ownership. Unless clients decide otherwise, that forms part of the stewardship duty we owe our clients in managing their assets. Subject to practical limitations, we therefore aim to exercise all voting rights for which we are responsible, although exceptions do nevertheless arise (for example, due to technical or administrative issues, including those related to Powers of Attorney, share blocking, related option rights or the presence of other exceptional or market-specific issues). This provides us with the opportunity to use those voting rights to express our preferences on relevant aspects of the business of a company, to highlight concerns to the board, to promote good practice and, when appropriate, to exercise related rights. In doing so we have an obligation to ensure that we do that in the best interests of our clients and in keeping with the mandate we have from them.
Corporate governance has particular importance to us in this context, which reflects our view that well governed companies are better positioned to manage the risks and challenges inherent in business, capture opportunities that help deliver sustainable growth and returns for our clients. Governance is a term used to describe the arrangements and practices that frame how directors of a company organize and operate in leading and directing a business on behalf of the shareholders of the company. Such arrangements and practices give effect to the mechanisms through which companies facilitate the exercise of shareholders’ rights and define the extent to which these are equitable for all shareholders.
We recognize that companies are not homogeneous and some variation in governance structures and practice is to be expected. In formulating our approach, we are also mindful of best practice standards and codes that help frame good practice, including international frameworks and investment industry guidance. While we are mindful of company and industry specific issues, as well as normal market practice, in considering the approach and proposals of a company we are guided solely by the best interests of our clients and will consider any issues and related disclosures or explanations in that context.
This document sets out our views on key issues and the broad principles that help shape our approach.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 B-1

 

Table of Contents
Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Principles
Shareholder Rights
The shareholder membership of listed companies is generally made up (directly or indirectly) of diverse individuals and institutions whose views, interests, goals and time horizons can vary considerably. Nevertheless, as shareholders, having confidence that the capital we commit to a company will be protected from misuse (e.g. from any potential agency conflicts) and will be prudently managed is important to us, our clients, and as a factor in the development and proper functioning of capital markets.
It is not the role of shareholders to micro manage businesses, rather it is the role and duty of directors to promote the long-term success of their company as noted in the next section. Nevertheless, by virtue of their share-ownership interest and position, shareholders are afforded certain rights to ensure, amongst other things, that appropriate leadership of the business is in place (e.g. through the appointment of the directors), review their performance (e.g. through receipt of the annual report & accounts, updates and general meetings), approve the broad parameters of the company’s authorities (e.g. in agreeing capital authorities), or indeed to exercise other rights afforded to shareholders (e.g. to requisition matters for consideration at General meetings).
Shareholder rights, framed in law, regulation and a company’s formational documents (i.e., bylaws or articles of association), are an important and integral part of corporate governance frameworks and the context in which we retain confidence in committing capital to businesses, to support their growth, development and success. This is particularly true in terms of ensuring that minority shareholders’ rights and interests will be respected. Arrangements or actions that detract from these rights and interest (including control distortions) need to be avoided.
While the precise nature and scope of shareholder rights vary across jurisdictions and many related aspects of our expectations are touched upon in other parts of these Principles, a number merit direct mention in this context:
Equal treatment of all shareholders
One share one vote: Ordinary or common shares should feature one vote for each share and discriminatory voting rights or equivalent arrangements are neither appropriate nor welcome. Companies need to disclose sufficient information about the key attributes of all of the group’s capital structure (including minority interests in subsidiaries) to enable a proper understanding of the structures in place and their implications.
Controlling shareholder agreements: where a company has a controlling shareholder (whether by virtue of the control of voting rights or through board representation) it should put an agreement in place to safeguard the independence of the company and ability of the board to fulfill its duties to the shareholders as a whole.
Shareholder approvals
Boards should ensure that shareholders have the ability and right to:
effectively exercise their voting rights across the full range of business normally associated with general meetings of a company in line with market best practice (e.g. the election of individual directors, discharge authorities, capital authorities, auditor appointment, major or related party transactions etc).
place items on the agenda of general meetings, and to propose resolutions subject to reasonable limitations;
call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of transacting the legitimate business of the company; and
that shareholder rights are not circumvented through, for example, the introduction or maintenance of limitations in the company’s formational documents.
Shareholder engagement
Boards should ensure that:
Clear, consistent and effective reporting to shareholders is undertaken at regular intervals and that they remain aware of shareholder sentiment on major issues to do with the business, its strategy and performance. Where significant shareholder dissent is emerging or apparent (e.g. through the voting levels seen at General Meetings), boards should act to address that.
Boards should also allow a reasonable opportunity for the shareholders at a general meeting to ask questions about or make comments on the management of the company, and to ask the external auditor questions related to the audit.
As an institutional shareholder, stewardship is about more than just voting and include monitoring and reviews of companies’ activities and developments. Where appropriate it may also include engagement with companies on matters such as strategy, performance, risk, capital structure, standards of operational practice, including environmental, social and governance factors. Our broad approach to these stewardship responsibilities and activities are set out in our Global Stewardship Statement.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 B-2

 

Table of Contents
The Board
Strong corporate governance starts with a balanced, effective, and independent board. The directors are collectively responsible for the long-term success and ongoing evolution in the leadership of the company, within a framework of prudent and effective oversight, policies and controls.
The board is thus responsible for providing leadership to the business, setting and monitoring the strategy, overseeing its management and implementation, as well as for ensuring that a culture of integrity and strong standards is maintained across all activities and operations. Not least this should enable business opportunities and risk to be assessed and responded to appropriately.
Boards need to have appropriate independent membership and an effective balance and diversity (re: skills, knowledge, experience, gender, approach and perspectives) that complements the strategy, operations and footprint of the business. For non-executive (supervisory) directors (NEDs), the ability to provide objective input and scrutiny, on behalf of the shareholders, is essential in ensuring diversity of thought and integrity in board deliberations. In this context, the importance of true independence of thought is critical. NEDs need to be reflective and thoughtful in their approach, being able to ask challenging, often difficult questions, while offering considered and constructive input to board discussions, based on sound judgement. The same holds true in terms of board committee membership. Suitably independent committees are one important mechanism for non-executive/supervisory directors to achieve this, whether that is in respect of risk, audit, succession or remuneration, so as to enable them to participate effectively as part of the board and in their role as directors of the business.
As part of this dynamic, well considered succession planning, orientation, on-going briefings, updates and annual evaluations (that make regular use of external facilitation) of the board, its sub-committees and members are essential.
All directors should be able to allocate sufficient time to the company to discharge their responsibilities fully and effectively and have an appropriate knowledge of the business and access to its operations and staff. Given the important role and duties of a board member, it is important that directors are not over-boarded and can maintain consistent participation at all their board and committee meetings and their wider engagement with the companies they lead.
All directors should be subject to annual election. However, in markets where that is not normal or best practice, we expect all directors to be subject to re-election in line with local market best practice, but in any case, at least every 4 years. At the same time, arrangements that might entrench boards or management, or otherwise insulate them from accountability, should be avoided.
Given their role and duties, directors should also ensure that they are well informed about the views and/or concerns of shareholders, as well as understanding the dynamic around their broader stakeholders (including bondholders, pension fund trustees, employees, customers, suppliers and the communities they operate in).
Chair of the Board
The Board Chair has a crucial function in providing leadership in the boardroom, setting the right context in terms of the board’s overall responsibility for the oversight of the business and its strategy. It is the Board Chair’s role to manage the board agenda and the provision of information to directors, as well as to ensure open boardroom discussion that enables the directors to have effective dialogue and provide the constructive challenge that a company needs. This role is distinct from the role of a chief executive officer who leads the day-to-day running of the business and implementation of the strategy.
We expect the Board Chair (or lead/senior independent director) to ensure that the board is aware of the views and considers concerns raised by shareholders, whether through ongoing dialogue and engagement with shareholders or where notable dissent has been indicated through shareholder voting.
We recognise that in some markets the combination of roles is not uncommon, nevertheless we regard the separation of the roles of the Board Chair and the CEO to be a matter of good practice and governance. In light of experience, we consider that this separation encourages collegial decision-making on matters of importance for a public company, and a balanced board, and it also mitigates potential conflicts of interest. Not least it also helps mitigate against the risk of a concentration of decision making powers in the hands of a single individual. Separation is deemed to improve the board’s capacity for independent decision making and increases accountability.
The Chair of the Board’s role should be complemented by an independent non-executive director appointed as the senior or lead independent director, who can provide a sounding board for the chairman and serve as a deputy and intermediary for the other directors and, indeed, shareholders when necessary.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 B-3

 

Table of Contents
Capital Management
Prudent capital management is a key building block for the long-term success of a business, supporting the strategy and ensuring its ability to weather adverse economic conditions. Clarity on financial capital, disciplines and how they relate to the strategy for growth, capital investment and M&A, or to share buybacks, dividends and/or other distributions, is a critical ingredient in building a shared understanding of the business with shareholders and other providers of capital.
From a shareholder perspective the rationale for and potential dilution from equity capital issuances and, for example, the risks of poorly timed or structured share buybacks are important considerations in granting capital authorities at shareholder meetings. These activities can have significant implications and need to be approached by boards and management with care and consideration for shareholder interests.
In seeking shareholder approval for equity capital issuance authorities, companies should ensure the rationale for policy on, and approach to, the use of such authorities is disclosed. Routine disapplication of pre-emption rights (pro-rata rights of first refusal) should not exceed 10% (or lower where that is market practice) and authorities should be structured in line with best practice.
Similarly, prudent management of debt through the cycle is important. Boards should ensure they monitor and oversee the maintenance of prudent levels of debt (e.g. average net-debt not just the year-end position) and leverage in the business and balance sheet, which should extend to contingent and off-balance sheet liabilities. They should also ensure that sudden spikes in leverage can be explained in the context of the broader long-term business strategy. Large, unexplained or unjustified authorities to issue debt, or to increase or remove debt limits set out in a company’s formational documents, can raise potentially significant concerns for both long-term shareholders and bondholders, which the board needs to be mindful of. Taking on debt solely to fund buybacks and/or hit ‘per-share’ targets such as EPS established under short-term variable remuneration schemes is neither good practice nor welcome.
Any exceptional cases should be supported by a substantive justification and explained properly to shareholders.
Major Transactions
Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and disposals are a regular feature of business and the capital markets. In many cases these are a normal part of the management and development of a business and the implementation of its strategy. However, large, inappropriate or poorly executed transactions can also lead to operational issues, significant write-downs and shareholder value destruction.
Boards should be actively involved in the planning for and assessment of potential transactions, ensuring that an appropriately disciplined approach (to both acquisitions and disposals) is maintained that is clearly aligned with the strategy. Ensuring appropriate and effective oversight of such activity is critical and monitoring the integration and subsequent performance against plan and related objectives (including synergies) is an important role of the board.
Where major transactions are not subject to shareholder approval, companies should consider the views of their major shareholders, subject to regulatory constraints and shareholders’ policies on being made ‘insiders’.
Related Party Transactions
The scope for conflicts and abuse in related party transactions in any market is a potentially significant issue. Such concerns can arise in relation to individual transactions or from the number, nature or pattern of them. Alongside appropriate procedures to identify and manage conflicts of interest, boards should have a robust, independent process for reviewing, approving and monitoring related party transactions (both individual transactions and in aggregate).
A committee of independent directors, with the ability to take independent advice, should review related party transactions, their nature and their incidence or aggregate levels, to determine whether they are necessary, appropriate and in the best interests of the company and, if so, agree what terms are fair for other shareholders. All related party transactions should be reported to the board and be subject to approval. The company should also disclose transactions that are significant, whether by virtue of their materiality to the business, the individuals involved or given the risk of perceived conflicts of interest, along with the rationale for allowing them.
Where a related party transaction is allowed to proceed it must be:
subject to proper oversight by the board and regular review (e.g. audit, shareholder approval);
clearly justified and not be detrimental to the long-term interests of the company;
undertaken in the normal course of business;
undertaken on fully commercial terms;
In line with best practice; and
In the interests of all shareholders.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 B-4

 

Table of Contents
Tax Management
Tax management, approached prudently and legally, is part of the responsible management of a company’s affairs. Artificial or ‘aggressive’ tax strategies and constructs create imprudent risks for a company. They can pose potentially significant reputation and commercial risks for those that are, or are perceived to be, pushing the boundaries of tax practice by, for example, exploiting loopholes and tax havens to avoid paying tax. The same reputation risks hold in respect of the directors of companies involved in such practices and the perception of the culture and attitudes it evidences. This applies equally to the use of tax avoidance structures in executive compensation arrangements, as it does at a corporate level.
From an investor perspective, tax management offers an insight into the culture predominant in a company and the attitudes and risk appetite of the management and directors. It also offers an additional indicator on the quality of earnings, risk and potential liabilities of a business, which can be relevant in terms of valuation and the investment quality of a business.
We expect the board to take a responsible approach to overseeing a company’s approach to and policy on tax and the related risks, to ensure that the company’s approach is and remains prudent and sustainable. The risks arising from engineered tax optimization practices should be understood and avoided; those arising from policy reforms (e.g. those being coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and other authorities) should be properly mitigated. The board should regularly review the business’s tax policy, its implementation and the related risks, as well as in response to significant events that may affect it. A summary of the tax policy and related codes of conduct should be published by companies, highlighting the approach to managing the associated risks.
In terms of changes in tax domicile or re-incorporation, while economic benefit may be gained, there should be no diminution of shareholders rights as a result of the changes, nor triggering of variable compensation as a result of the associated technical, legal or structural changes required.
Annual Report and Accounts
Annual reports and accounts are a key reference document for shareholders and the providers of a company’s long-term capital. They should provide a summary account of the board’s stewardship of the business that year (as opposed say to being designed or prepared for a secondary market context i.e. decision usefulness), whilst setting a direction of travel for the future.
In the annual report, the board should present a fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the company’s strategy, business plan, objectives, KPIs, capital and assets, operations, risks, challenges, performance and prospects in its annual report. This should include how the business’ approach is adapting to major trends (e.g. from technology, climate change or demographics etc) that could have a material impact on the business and the related risks and opportunities it sees and how they affect the sustainability of the business and its long-term prospects.
The annual financial statements (accounts) need to be prepared on a prudent basis and present a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the business, its assets, liabilities, financial position and distributable profit or the loss. Boards should ensure that aggressive accounting practices are avoided and recognise that headline compliance with accounting standards, where significant judgement and discretion can be used, is unlikely of itself to effectively provide comfort that a ‘true & fair view’ is being maintained. Boards should ensure company practice does not fall into the trap of accounting form over substance.
The annual report and accounts are a reflection of the quality and prudence of management and the board of directors. Managements should strive for perfection in delivering these important documents. Errors and omissions may ultimately factor in our view toward the constitution and effectiveness of management and the board.
While recognizing the differences that exist in market norms and dynamics, we expect companies to plan for and look to the long-term in their reporting. The board should ensure that the company does not become fixated on quarterly numbers at the expense of investment for the long-term.
External Audit
The statutory audit is a significant and important shareholder and creditor protection mechanism, to which we attach considerable importance. Its purpose is to protect the company itself from errors, omissions or, potentially, wrongdoing, as well as to signal any issues to shareholders to enable them to engage with the directors, not least through the general meeting.
Companies should, therefore, ensure that the relationship with the auditor is clearly owned and overseen by the Audit Committee and that they maintain a robust, independent and effective audit and that the auditors are and are seen to be independent. As part of this, companies should have a clear policy on the approach to and timeframes for re-tendering the audit contract.
Non-audit work should be kept to a minimum, require prior audit committee approval and largely be restricted to audit related work. Audit committees should also oversee any work undertaken by other audit firms to ensure that the company’s options and choice of alternative auditors is not compromised by potential conflicts.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 B-5

 

Table of Contents
Internal Audit and Risk Committees
Companies need to maintain an effective system of internal control, which should be measured against internationally accepted standards of internal audit and tested periodically for its adequacy.
Companies are encouraged to have an internal audit function that supports the board and executives in the oversight and management of risks. We expect financial institutions to maintain a separate risk committee and support this practice, where appropriate, in other companies.
Compensation/Remuneration
Executive pay has been a persistent area of concern and controversy over the years. Given the problems around executive pay inflation, widening pay differentials, questions about the linkage with performance and perceived rewards for failure, and complexity, compensation (remuneration) committees need to ensure a prudent approach is maintained.
We expect a substantial proportion of executive pay to be performance based, vesting according to the achievement of stretching performance metrics that are clearly aligned with the company’s strategy, management’s value creation and the experience of its shareholders. In terms of pay and overall employee costs, we will have particular regard to the relative levels of pay compared to the performance of the business, distributions to shareholders.
Across a company’s pay arrangements, structural or technical provisions that can weaken or undermine the principle of pay for performance, need to be avoided. Similarly, we are generally supportive of local market best practices that enhance the alignment of pay and performance, such as retention and deferral arrangements, malus/clawback, reasonable all-employee share schemes etc. Consideration should also be given to the emerging disclosures required around pay ratios and the ramifications for the companies in which we invest.
Broadly speaking, compensation (remuneration) committees should look to ensure that their company’s pay arrangements are:
1. Clear, simple and understandable;
2. Balanced and proportionate, in respect of structure, deliverables, opportunity and the market;
3. Aligned with the long-term strategy, related key performance indicators and risk management discipline;
4. Linked robustly to the delivery of performance;
5. Delivering outcomes that reflect value creation and the shareholder ‘experience’; and
6. Structured to avoid pay for failure or the avoidance of accountability to shareholders.
Where a company consults with its shareholders on its executive pay arrangements, the compensation (remuneration) committee chair should take ownership and lead that process, ensuring proper two-way dialogue, as deference to consultants undermines credibility. That said, pay is only one aspect of the dialogue we need to have or prioritise with companies. As a result, we would note that, generally, we only look to participate directly in such consultations where we are a significant shareholder.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Practices
Broader ESG practices provide shareholders with an additional lens into the quality, leadership, strategic focus and operational standards of practice of a business. Reflecting our philosophy on the importance of integrating ESG considerations into our assessment of how well a business is run, we will consider the level and effectiveness of ESG disclosure made by companies in their annual reports and other materials. Our focus will be on those factors deemed material to businesses in a given sector with a focus on practices deemed unsustainable or in need of improvement to protect shareholder value.
We aim to assess company’s focus, management and effectiveness in dealing with the environmental and social issues most relevant to their business. In cases where management and the board have not demonstrated adequate efforts to be transparent and address or mitigate material ESG issues, or are considered to be failing to adequately address current or emergent risks that may threaten shareholder value in future, we may take voting action to highlight this.
We will also be mindful of companies’ adherence to proper standards of operational practices and where, for example, those practices fail to meet generally accepted international standards (e.g. adherence to the UN Global Compact, UN Convention on Human Rights or International Labour Organisation Core Labor Standards), this will be taken into account as part of our deliberations on voting action.
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 B-6

 

Table of Contents
Shareholder Resolutions
As part of this focus, shareholder resolutions represent the exercise of a key shareholder right, although they can encompass a wide range of issues. However, they are commonly focused on environmental and social issues.
We assess shareholder resolutions in light of good practice, the standards already applied by a company, how proportionate the proposals are, their alignment with our philosophy and approach, as well any potential conflicts with our client’s interests. We will also have regard to whether a shareholder resolution is binding in nature or advisory (non-binding) in applying these considerations.
S-6466-20 AR (05/19)
Statement of Additional Information – May 1, 2019 B-7


Table of Contents

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)    Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 11, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(1)), filed on September 28, 2007.
(a)(2)    Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 9, 2008, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(2)), filed on April 21, 2008.
(a)(3)    Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 8, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(3)), filed on April 29, 2009.
(a)(4)    Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 14, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(4)), filed on April 14, 2010.
(a)(5)    Amendment No. 5 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 6, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(5)), filed on April 29, 2010.
(a)(6)    Amendment No. 6 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective November 11, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(6)), filed on April 29, 2011.
(a)(7)    Amendment No. 7 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 11, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(7)), filed on April 29, 2011.
(a)(8)    Amendment No. 8 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 15, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(8)), filed on March 2, 2012.
(a)(9)    Amendment No. 9 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 12, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(9)), filed on March 2, 2012.
(a)(10)    Amendment No. 10 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective June 14, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(10)), filed on April 26, 2013.
(a)(11)    Amendment No. 11 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 13, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(11)), filed on April 26, 2013.
(a)(12)    Amendment No. 12 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 16, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(12)), filed on April 26, 2013.
(a)(13)    Amendment No. 13 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 17, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(13)), filed on April 26, 2013.


Table of Contents
(a)(14)    Amendment No. 14 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 11, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(14)), filed on April 29, 2014.
(a)(15)    Amendment No. 15 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 14, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(15)), filed on May 15, 2015.
(a)(16)    Amendment No. 16 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 19, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(16)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(a)(17)    Amendment No. 17 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective November 14, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(17)), filed on February 17, 2017.
(a)(18)    Amendment No. 18 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective April 21, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(18)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(a)(19)    Amendment No. 19 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective November 14, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(19)), filed on December 19, 2017.
(a)(20)    Amendment No. 20 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective December 19, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(20)), filed on February 21, 2018.
(a)(21)    Amendment No. 21 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective May 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(21)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(a)(22)    Amendment No. 22 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective September 13, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (a)(22)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(a)(23)    Amendment No. 23 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 31, 2019, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (a)(23) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(b)    By-laws, effective September 6, 2007, most recently amended February 10, 2016, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (b)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(c)    Stock Certificate: Not Applicable.
(d)(1)    Management Agreement (amended and restated), dated April 25, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(1)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(d)(1)(i)    Schedule A and Schedule B, effective July 1, 2018, to the Management Agreement (amended and restated), dated April 25, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 176 to Registration Statement No. 333-89661 of Columbia Funds Series Trust on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(1)(i), filed on July 26, 2018.


Table of Contents
(d)(2)    Management Agreement, dated November 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(2)), filed on December 19, 2017.
(d)(2)(i)    Schedule A and Schedule B, effective February 2, 2018, to the Management Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II, effective November 15, 2017, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of Columbia Funds Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(2)(i)), filed on February 16, 2018.
(d)(3)    Management Agreement, effective May 1, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Variable Portfolio—Commodity Strategy Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(3)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(d)(4)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and American Century Investment Management, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(4)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(4)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of September 20, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and American Century Investment Management, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(4)(i)), filed on December 19, 2017.
(d)(5)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated March 13, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and AQR Capital Management, LLC, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(5)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(d)(6)(i)    Amended and Restated Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 26, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(6)(i)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(d)(6)(ii)    Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 26, 2018, between BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. and BlackRock International Limited, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(6)(ii)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(d)(7)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and BMO Asset Management Corp., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(6)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(d)(7)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of August 2, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and BMO Asset Management Corp. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(7)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.


Table of Contents
(d)(8)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 2, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and CenterSquare Investment Management LLC, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(7)), filed on February 21, 2018.
(d)(9)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(7)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(10)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013 (Amendment No. 1), between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(9)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(10)(i)    Amendment No. 2, as of June 5, 2014, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(10)), filed on August 20, 2014.
(d)(10)(ii)    Amendment No. 3, as of January 30, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013 and June 5, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P., is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (d)(10)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(d)(11)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(14)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(11)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of June 17, 2014, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(16)), filed on August 20, 2014.
(d)(11)(ii)    Amendment No. 2, as of April 21, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended June 17, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(15)), filed on September 18, 2017.
(d)(11)(iii)    Amendment No. 3, as of June 28, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended June 17, 2014 and April 21, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(11)(iii)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(12)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(16)), filed on April 27, 2017.


Table of Contents
(d)(12)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of July 13, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(12)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(13)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(16)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(13)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of November 19, 2015, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(17)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(d)(14)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(21)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(d)(14)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of May 31, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(15)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(15)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Massachusetts Financial Services Company, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(18)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(15)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of February 10, 2016, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Massachusetts Financial Services Company, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(20)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(d)(15)(ii)    Amendment No. 2, as of September 20, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended February 10, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Massachusetts Financial Services Company, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(17)(ii)), filed on December 19, 2017.
(d)(16)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(20)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(16)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of February 10, 2016, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(22)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(d)(16)(ii)    Amendment No. 2, as of March 27, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended February 10, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(17)(ii)), filed on December 7, 2018.


Table of Contents
(d)(17)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(26)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(d)(17)(i)    Amendment No. 1, dated May 31, 2018 to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 15, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(18)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(18)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 10, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and OppenheimerFunds Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(24)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(d)(18)(i)    Amendment No. 1, dated June 26, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated February 10, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and OppenheimerFunds Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(19)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(19)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 18, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(27)), filed on August 20, 2014.
(d)(19)(i)    Amendment No. 1, dated March 13, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 18, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(21)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(20)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 14, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(29)), filed on November 14, 2016.
(d)(20)(i)    Amendment No. 1, dated July 24, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 14, 2016, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(22)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(20)(ii)    Amendment No. 2, dated November 9, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 14, 2016, as amended July 24, 2018, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(22)(ii)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(21)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and TCW Investment Management Company, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(26)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(22)    Amended and Restated Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 11, 2008, last amended January 16, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Threadneedle International Limited, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(27)), filed on May 15, 2014.


Table of Contents
(d)(22)(i)    Amendment, as of November 1, 2018, to Amended and Restated Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 11, 2008, last amended January 16, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Threadneedle International Limited is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(24)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(23)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 19, 2013, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Victory Capital Management Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(29)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(24)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(30)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(d)(24)(i)    Amendment No. 1, as of July 18, 2014, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(34)), filed on October 15, 2014.
(d)(24)(ii)    Amendment No. 2, dated April 21, 2017, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended July 18, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(35)), filed on September 18, 2017.
(d)(24)(iii)    Amendment No. 3, as of June 25, 2018, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated April 8, 2010, as amended July 18, 2014 and April 21, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly RiverSource Investments, LLC) and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(26)(iii)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(d)(25)    Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 21, 2017, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (d)(36)), filed on September 18, 2017.
(e)(1)    Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement by and between Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., dated March 1, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (e)(1)), filed on April 28, 2016.
(e)(1)(i)    Schedule I, effective May 1, 2018, and Schedule II, dated September 7, 2010, to the Distribution Agreement, amended and restated as of March 1, 2016, between Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (e)(1)(i)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(f)    Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted as of December 31, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of Columbia Funds Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (f)), filed on February 24, 2012.


Table of Contents
(g)(1)    Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(1)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(g)(2)    Addendum (related to Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Fund, now known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund), dated March 9, 2012, and Addendum (related to Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund), dated March 15, 2013, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(2)), filed on May 15, 2014.
(g)(3)    Side letter (related to the China Connect Service on behalf of Columbia Variable Portfolio—Emerging Markets Fund and Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund (formerly known as Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select International Equity Fund)), dated March 6, 2018, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(3)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(g)(4)    Addendum (related to Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund), dated November 8, 2017, to the Second Amended and Restated Master Global Custody Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., dated March 7, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (g)(4)), filed on December 19, 2017.
(h)(1)    Shareholder Services Agreement by and between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., dated July 1, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(1)), filed on September 18, 2017.
(h)(1)(i)    Schedule A, effective May 1, 2018, and Schedule B, effective July 1, 2017, to the Shareholder Services Agreement by and between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., dated July 1, 2017, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(1)(i)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(h)(2)    Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and Expense Cap Agreement, effective July 1, 2016, by and among Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of Columbia Funds Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(5)), filed on June 27, 2016.
(h)(2)(i)    Schedule A, effective May 1, 2018, to the Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and Expense Cap Agreement, effective July 1, 2016, by and among Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., the Registrant, Columbia Funds Series Trust and Columbia Funds Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(2)(i)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(h)(3)    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated September 11, 2007, between RiverSource Variable Portfolio Funds, each a series of a Minnesota corporation, and corresponding RiverSource Variable Portfolio Funds, each a series of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, now known as Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust, and between RiverSource Variable Portfolio – Core Bond Fund, a series of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, and RiverSource Variable Portfolio – Diversified Bond Fund, a series of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, now known as Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(5)), filed on April 21, 2008.


Table of Contents
(h)(4)    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 20, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(9)), filed on April 29, 2011.
(h)(5)    Agreement and Plan of Redomiciling, dated December 20, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(10)), filed on April 29, 2011.
(h)(6)    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated October 9, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to Registration Statement No. 333-8966 of Columbia Funds Series Trust on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(7)), filed on May 30, 2013.
(h)(7)    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 17, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Registration Statement No. 333-208706 of Columbia Funds Series Trust on Form N-14 (Exhibit (4)), filed on December 22, 2015.
(h)(8)    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of December 9, 2014, is incorporated by reference to    Post-Effective Amendment No. 225 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(14)), filed on April 16, 2015.
(h)(9)    Restated Credit Agreement, as of December 8, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(9)(i)), filed on April 11, 2016.
(h)(10)    Master InterFund Lending Agreement, dated May 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 179 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of Columbia Funds Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(11)), filed on May 25, 2018.
(h)(10)(i)    Schedule A and Schedule B, as of September 1, 2018, to Master InterFund Lending Agreement, dated May 1, 2018, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 186 to Registration Statement No. 333-131683 of Columbia Funds Series Trust II on Form N-1A (Exhibit (h)(8)(i)), filed on September 27, 2018.
(i)(1)    Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (i)), filed on April 29, 2014.
(i)(2)    Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered for Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (i)(2)), filed on December 19, 2017.
(j)    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (j) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(k)    Omitted Financial Statements: Not Applicable.
(l)    Initial Capital Agreement: Not Applicable.
(m)(1)    Plan of Distribution and Agreement of Distribution, effective May 1, 2009, amended and restated March 7, 2011, between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (m)(1)), filed on April 29, 2014.


Table of Contents
(m)(1)(i)    Schedule A, effective May 1, 2018, to the Plan of Distribution and Agreement of Distribution, effective May 1, 2009, amended and restated March 7, 2011, between the Registrant and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (m)(1)(i)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(n)    Rule 18f – 3(d) Plan, amended and restated September 14, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (n)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(o)    Reserved.
(p)(1)    Code of Ethics adopted under Rule 17j-1 for Registrant, effective March 2019, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(2)    Ameriprise Global Asset Management Personal Trading Account Dealing and Code of Ethics Policy, effective December 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 345 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(2)), filed on February 15, 2019.
(p)(3)    American Century Investment Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, updated December 13, 2018, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(4)    AQR Capital Management, LLC Code of Ethics, as amended April 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(3)), filed on April 25, 2019.
(p)(5)    BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, effective November 23, 2018, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(6)    BMO Asset Management Corp. Code of Ethics, dated March 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(9)), filed on April 25, 2019.
(p)(7)    CenterSquare Investment Management LLC Code of Ethics, effective January 2, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(7)), filed on April 27, 2018.
(p)(8)    Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics, effective January 2, 2007, last amended February 12, 2018, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(9)    Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. Code of Ethics, effective January 1, 2019, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(10)    J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Code of Ethics, effective February 1, 2005, last revised November 8, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(10)), filed on December 7, 2018.


Table of Contents
(p)(11)    Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, dated January 1, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(12)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(p)(12)    Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. Code of Ethics, effective January 14, 2000, as amended April 18, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 332 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(11)), filed on August 27, 2018.
(p)(13)    Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. Code of Ethics, dated September 28, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 338 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(15)), filed on November 27, 2018.
(p)(14)    Massachusetts Financial Services Company Code of Ethics, effective February 1, 2019, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(15)    Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Code of Ethics, effective December 12, 2018, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(16)    Nuveen Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics, dated July 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(17)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(p)(16)(i)    Supplement, dated August 1, 2018, to Nuveen Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics, dated July 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(17)(i)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(p)(17)    OppenheimerFunds Inc. Code of Ethics, effective July 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(18)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(p)(18)    Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC Code of Ethics, dated October 1, 2018, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (p)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.
(p)(19)    T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. and Its Affiliates Code of Ethics, as of September 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(20)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(p)(20)    TCW Investment Management Company LLC Code of Ethics, dated October 24, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 347 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(5)), filed on February 27, 2019.
(p)(21)    Victory Capital Management Inc. Code of Ethics, effective July 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(22)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(p)(22)    Wells Capital Management Incorporated Code of Ethics, effective 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349 to Registration Statement No. 2-99356 of Columbia Funds Series Trust I on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(11)), filed on April 25, 2019.


Table of Contents
(p)(23)    Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. Code of Ethics, as of August 22, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(24)), filed on December 7, 2018.
(q)(1)    Trustees’ Power of Attorney to sign Amendments to this Registration Statement, dated January 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(1), filed on February 21, 2018.
(q)(2)    Power of Attorney for Michael G. Clarke, dated May 23, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (p)(3)), filed on June 1, 2016.
(q)(3)    Power of Attorney for Christopher O. Petersen, dated February 16, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(5)), filed on February 20, 2015.
(q)(4)    Power of Attorney for Amy K. Johnson, dated May 11, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(4)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(q)(5)    Power of Attorney for Anthony P. Haugen, dated May 11, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(5)), filed on April 27, 2017.
(q)(6)    Power of Attorney for Joseph Beranek, dated February 1, 2019, is filed electronically herewith as Exhibit (q)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A.

 

Item 29.

Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the investment manager or Columbia Management), as sponsor of the Columbia funds, may make initial capital investments in Columbia funds (seed accounts). Columbia Management also serves as investment manager of certain Columbia funds-of-funds that invest primarily in shares of affiliated funds (the underlying funds). Columbia Management does not make initial capital investments or invest in underlying funds for the purpose of exercising control. However, since these ownership interests may be significant, in excess of 25%, such that Columbia Management may be deemed to control certain Columbia funds, procedures have been put in place to assure that public shareholders determine the outcome of all actions taken at shareholder meetings. Specifically, Columbia Management (which votes proxies for the seed accounts) and the Boards of Trustees of the affiliated funds-of-funds (which votes proxies for the affiliated funds-of-funds) vote on each proposal in the same proportion as the vote of the direct public shareholders vote; provided, however, that if there are no direct public shareholders of an underlying fund or if direct public shareholders represent only a minority interest in an underlying fund, the Fund may cast votes in accordance with instructions from the independent members of the Board.

 

Item 30.

Indemnification

Article VII of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, provides that no trustee or officer of the Registrant shall be subject to any liability to any person in connection with Registrant property or the affairs of the Registrant, and no trustee shall be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Registrant or for the act or omission of any other trustee, all as more fully set forth in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement. Article 5 of the Registrant’s Bylaws provides that the Registrant shall indemnify and hold harmless its trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Registrant’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Registrant has any interest) (Covered Persons) against liabilities and expenses in connection with the defense or disposition of any proceeding in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened by reason of any alleged act or omission as a trustee or officer or by reason of his or her being or having been such a Covered Person, under specified circumstances, all as more fully set forth in the Bylaws, which are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.


Table of Contents

Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) provides that no instrument pursuant to which Registrant is organized or administered shall contain any provision which protects or purports to protect any trustee or officer of Registrant against any liability to Registrant or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

The Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides that nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect any trustee or officer against any liabilities to the Registrant or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or position with or on behalf of the Registrant and the Registrant’s Bylaws provides that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office.

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. agrees to indemnify the Registrant, its officers and trustees against claims, demands, liabilities and expenses under specified circumstances, all as more fully set forth in the Registrant’s Distribution Agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

The Registrant may be party to other contracts that include indemnification provisions for the benefit of the Registrant’s trustees and officers.

The trustees and officers of the Registrant and the personnel of the Registrant’s investment adviser and principal underwriter are insured under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy. Registrant’s investment adviser, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, maintains investment advisory professional liability insurance to insure it, for the benefit of Registrant and its non-interested trustees, against loss arising out of any effort, omission, or breach of any duty owed to Registrant or any series of Registrant by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Registrant’s organizational instruments or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and, therefore, is unenforceable.

 

Item 31.

Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), the Registrant’s investment adviser, or any subadviser to a series of the Registrant, except as set forth below, are or have been, at any time during the Registrant’s past two fiscal years, engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

 

(1)

Columbia Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., performs investment advisory services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Columbia Management and the directors and principal officers of Columbia Management is also included in the Form ADV filed by Columbia Management with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-25943), which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition to their position with Columbia Management, certain directors and officers of Columbia Management also hold various positions with, and engage in business for, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its other subsidiaries.


Table of Contents
(2)

American Century Investment Management, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of American Century Investment Management, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by American Century Investment Management, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of American Century Investment Management, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of American Century Investment Management, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by American Century Investment Management, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-8174), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(3)

AQR Capital Management, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of AQR Capital Management, LLC and certain of its officers is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s portfolio(s) subadvised by AQR Capital Management, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of AQR Capital Management, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of AQR Capital Management, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by AQR Capital Management, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-55543), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(4)

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-48433), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(5)

BlackRock International Limited performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of BlackRock International Limited is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by BlackRock International Limited and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of BlackRock International Limited and the directors and principal executive officers of BlackRock International Limited is also included in the Form ADV filed by BlackRock International Limited with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-51087), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(6)

BMO Asset Management Corp. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of BMO Asset Management Corp. and certain of its officers is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s portfolio(s) subadvised by BMO Asset Management Corp. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of BMO Asset Management Corp. and the directors and principal executive officers of BMO Asset Management Corp. is also included in the Form ADV filed by BMO Asset Management Corp. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-35533), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(7)

CenterSquare Investment Management LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of CenterSquare Investment Management LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by CenterSquare Investment Management LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of CenterSquare Investment Management LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of CenterSquare Investment Management LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by CenterSquare Investment Management LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-111965), which is incorporated herein by reference.


Table of Contents
(8)

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-41391), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(9)

Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. and the directors and principal executive officers of Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-16283), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(10)

J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-21011), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(11)

Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-28257), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(12)

Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. and the directors and principal executive officers of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.is also included in the Form ADV filed by Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-170), which is incorporated herein by reference.


Table of Contents
(13)

Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. and certain of its officers is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s portfolio(s) subadvised by Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-60934), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(14)

Massachusetts Financial Services Company performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Massachusetts Financial Services Company is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Massachusetts Financial Services Company and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Massachusetts Financial Services Company and the directors and principal executive officers of Massachusetts Financial Services Company is also included in the Form ADV filed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-17352), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(15)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-15757), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(16)

Nuveen Asset Management, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-71957), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(17)

OppenheimerFunds, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by OppenheimerFunds, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-8253), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(18)

Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-47232), which is incorporated herein by reference.


Table of Contents
(19)

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-856), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(20)

TCW Investment Management Company LLC performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of TCW Investment Management Company LLC is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by TCW Investment Management Company LLC and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of TCW Investment Management Company LLC and the directors and principal executive officers of TCW Investment Management Company LLC is also included in the Form ADV filed by TCW Investment Management Company LLC with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-29075), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(21)

Threadneedle International Limited performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Threadneedle International Limited is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Threadneedle International Limited and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Threadneedle International Limited and the directors and principal executive officers of Threadneedle International Limited is also included in the Form ADV filed by Threadneedle International Limited with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-63196), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(22)

Victory Capital Management Inc. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Victory Capital Management Inc. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Victory Capital Management Inc. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Victory Capital Management Inc. and the directors and principal executive officers of Victory Capital Management Inc. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Victory Capital Management Inc. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-46878), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(23)

Wells Capital Management Incorporated performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Wells Capital Management Incorporated is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Wells Capital Management Incorporated and the directors and principal executive officers of Wells Capital Management Incorporated is also included in the Form ADV filed by Wells Capital Management Incorporated with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-21122), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(24)

Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. performs investment management services for the Registrant and certain other clients. Information regarding the business of Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. is set forth in the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information of the Registrant’s series that are subadvised by Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about the business of Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. and the directors and principal executive officers of Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. is also included in the Form ADV filed by Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (File No. 801-69413), which is incorporated herein by reference.


Table of Contents
Item 32.

Principal Underwriter

 

(a)

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies, including the Registrant:

Columbia Acorn Trust; Columbia Funds Series Trust; Columbia Funds Series Trust I; Columbia Funds Series Trust II; Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II; Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust.

 

(b)

As to each director, principal officer or partner of Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.

 

Name and Principal Business Address*

  

Position and Offices

with Principal Underwriter

  

Positions and Offices

with Registrant

William F. Truscott    Chief Executive Officer    Board Member, Senior Vice President
Scott E. Couto    President    None
Jeffrey J. Scherman    Chief Financial Officer    None
Michael E. DeFao    Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary    Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Stephen O. Buff    Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    None
James Bumpus    Vice President – National Sales Manager    None
Thomas A. Jones    Vice President and Head of Strategic Relations    None
Gary Rawdon    Vice President – Sales Governance and Administration    None
Leslie A. Walstrom    Vice President and Head of U.S. Marketing    None
Daniel J. Beckman    Vice President and Head of U.S. Retail Product    None
Marc Zeitoun    Vice President, Head of Strategic Beta and Head of Private Client Accounts    None
Thomas R. Moore    Secretary    None
Paul B. Goucher    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Amy L. Hackbarth    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None
Nancy W. LeDonne    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    None
Ryan C. Larrenaga    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary


Table of Contents
Joseph L. D’Alessandro    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    Assistant Secretary
Christopher O. Petersen    Vice President and Assistant Secretary    President and Principal Executive Officer
James E. Brefeld, Jr.    Treasurer    None
Michael Tempesta    Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Identity Theft Prevention Officer    None
Kevin Wasp    Ombudsman    None

Kristin Weisser

 

   Conflicts Officer    None
*

The principal business address of Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110.

(c) Not Applicable.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

Persons maintaining physical possession of accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder include:

 

 

Registrant, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;

 

 

Registrant’s investment adviser and administrator, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, American Century Investment Management, Inc., 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111-7709;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, AQR Capital Management, LLC, Two Greenwich Plaza, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., 55 East 52 nd Street, New York, NY 10055;

 

 

Registrant’s sub-subadviser, BlackRock International Limited, Exchange Place One, 1 Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL, Scotland;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, BMO Asset Management Corp., 115 South LaSalle Street, 11th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60603;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, CenterSquare Investment Management LLC, 630 W Germantown Pike, Suite 300, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P., 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc., 100 Campus Drive, 2 nd Floor West, Florham Park, NJ 07932-0650;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111-2621;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Los Angeles Capital Management and Equity Research, Inc., 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Massachusetts Financial Services Company, 111 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02199;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10281;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC, 540 West Madison Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60661-2551;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202;


Table of Contents
 

Registrant’s subadviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, 865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90017;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Threadneedle International Limited, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, UK;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Victory Capital Management Inc., 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4 th Floor, Brooklyn, OH 44144;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Wells Capital Management Incorporated, 525 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105;

 

 

Registrant’s subadviser, Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111;

 

 

Former subadviser, Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, 2200 Ross Avenue, 31 st Floor, Dallas, TX 75201-2761;

 

 

Former subadviser, Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., 2949 East Elvira Road, Suite 101, Tucson, AZ 85756;

 

 

Former subadviser, Denver Investment Advisors LLC, 370 17 th Street, Suite 5000, Denver, CO 80202 (merged into Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC, 540 West Madison Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60661-2551);

 

 

Former subadviser, Eaton Vance Management, Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110;

 

 

Former subadviser, FIAM LLC (d/b/a Pyramis Global Advisors), 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917;

 

 

Former subadviser, Donald Smith & Co., Inc., 152 West 57 th Street, 22 nd Floor, New York, NY 10019;

 

 

Former subadviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282;

 

 

Former subadviser, Holland Capital Management LLC, 303 W. Madison Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60606;

 

 

Former subadviser, Invesco Advisers, Inc., 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309;

 

 

Former subadviser, Jennison Associates LLC, 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017;

 

 

Former subadviser, Kennedy Capital Management, Inc., 10829 Olive Boulevard, Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63141;

 

 

Former subadviser, The London Company of Virginia, 1801 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23226;

 

 

Former subadviser, Marsico Capital Management, LLC, 1200 17 th Street, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202;

 

 

Former subadviser, Mondrian Investment Partners Limited, 10 Gresham Street, 5th Floor, London EC2V7JD, UK;

 

 

Former subadviser, NFJ Investment Group LLC, 2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75201 (merged into Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, 2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75201);

 

 

Former subadviser, Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, 650 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660;

 

 

Former subadviser, Palisade Capital Management, L.L.C., One Bridge Plaza North, Suite 695, Fort Lee, NJ 07024;

 

 

Former subadviser, River Road Asset Management, LLC, 462 South Fourth Street, Suite 2000, Louisville, KY 40202-3466;

 

 

Former subadviser, Sit Investment Associates, Inc., 3300 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402;

 

 

Former subadviser, Snow Capital Management L.P., 2000 Georgetowne Drive, Suite 200, Sewickley, PA 15143-8992;

 

 

Former subadviser, Turner Investments, L.P., 1205 Westlakes Drive, Suite 100, Berwyn, PA 19312 (merged into Turner Investments LLC, 1000 Chesterbrook Boulevard, 1 st Floor, Berwyn, PA 19312-2414);

 

 

Former subadviser, Winslow Capital Management, LLC, 4400 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402;

 

 

Registrant’s principal underwriter, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;

 

 

Registrant’s transfer agent, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110;

 

 

Registrant’s sub-transfer agent, DST Asset Manager Services, 2000 Crown Colony Dr., Quincy, MA; and

 

 

Registrant’s custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005.


Table of Contents

In addition, Iron Mountain Records Management is an off-site storage facility housing historical records that are no longer required to be maintained on-site. Records stored at this facility include various trading and accounting records, as well as other miscellaneous records. The address for Iron Mountain Records Management is 920 & 950 Apollo Road, Eagan, MN 55121.

Certain information on the above-referenced physical possession of accounts, books and other documents is also included in the Registrant’s filing on Form N-CEN filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2019.

Item 34. Management Services

Not Applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings

Not Applicable.


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II, certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to its Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, and the State of Minnesota on the 26 th day of April, 2019.

 

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II
           By:  

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

   

Christopher O. Petersen

President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 26 th day of April, 2019.

 

Signature    Capacity    Signature    Capacity

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

   President   

/s/ Brian J. Gallagher*

   Trustee
Christopher O. Petersen    (Principal Executive Officer)    Brian J. Gallagher   

/s/ Michael G. Clarke*

   Chief Financial Officer   

/s/ Catherine James Paglia*

   Trustee
Michael G. Clarke   

(Principal Financial Officer)

and Senior Vice President

   Catherine James Paglia   

/s/ Joseph Beranek*

   Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer   

/s/ Anthony M. Santomero*

   Trustee
Joseph Beranek    (Principal Accounting Officer)    Anthony M. Santomero   

/s/ Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.*

   Chair of the Board   

/s/ Minor M. Shaw*

   Trustee
Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.       Minor M. Shaw   

/s/ George S. Batejan*

   Trustee   

/s/ William F. Truscott*

   Trustee
George S. Batejan       William F. Truscott   

/s/ Kathleen A. Blatz*

   Trustee   

/s/ Sandra Yeager*

   Trustee
Kathleen A. Blatz       Sandra Yeager   

/s/ Pamela G. Carlton*

   Trustee      
Pamela G. Carlton         

/s/ Patricia M. Flynn*

   Trustee      
Patricia M. Flynn         

 

*   By:  

/s/ Joseph D’ Alessandro

  Name:   Joseph D’ Alessandro**
    Attorney-in-fact

 

**

Executed by Joseph D’Alessandro on behalf of Michael G. Clarke pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated May 23, 2016 and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(3)), filed with the Commission on June 1, 2016, on behalf of Joseph Beranek pursuant to a Power of Attorney, dated February 1, 2019, filed herewith as Exhibit (q)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A and on behalf of each of the Trustees pursuant to a Trustees Power of Attorney, dated January 1, 2018 and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibit (q)(1)), filed with the Commission on February 21, 2018.


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd. has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement for Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund, with respect only to information that specifically relates to CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd., to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, and the State of Minnesota on the 26 th day of April, 2019.

 

CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd.
By  

: /s/ Christopher O. Petersen

  Christopher O. Petersen
  Director

This Amendment to the Registration Statement for Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund, with respect only to information that specifically relates to CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd., has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 26 th day of April, 2019.

 

Signature    Capacity     

/s/ Amy K. Johnson*

   Director, CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd.   
Amy K. Johnson      

/s/ Anthony P. Haugen*

   Director, CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd.   
Anthony P. Haugen      

/s/ Christopher O. Petersen

   Director, CVPCSF Offshore Fund, Ltd.   
Christopher O. Petersen      

 

*   By:  

/s/ Joseph D’ Alessandro

  Name:   Joseph D’ Alessandro**
    Attorney-in-fact

 

**

Executed by Joseph D’Alessandro on behalf of Amy K. Johnson and Anthony P. Haugen pursuant to Powers of Attorney, dated May 11, 2016, and incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registration Statement No. 333-146374 of the Registrant on Form N-1A (Exhibits (q)(4) and (q)(5), respectively), filed with the Commission on April 27, 2017.


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

(a)(23)    Amendment No. 23 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust effective January 31, 2019.
(d)(10)(ii)    Amendment No. 3, as of January 30, 2019, to the Subadvisory Agreement, dated September 23, 2011, amended December 5, 2013 and June 5, 2014, between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P.
(j)    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
(p)(1)    Code of Ethics adopted under Rule 17j-1 for Registrant, effective March 2019.
(p)(3)    American Century Investment Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, updated December 13, 2018.
(p)(5)    BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Code of Ethics, effective November 23, 2018.
(p)(8)    Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics, effective January 2, 2007, last amended February 12, 2018.
(p)(9)    Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. Code of Ethics, effective January 1, 2019.
(p)(14)    Massachusetts Financial Services Company Code of Ethics, effective February 1, 2019.
(p)(15)    Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Code of Ethics, effective December 12, 2018.
(p)(18)    Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC Code of Ethics, dated October 1, 2018.
(q)(6)    Power of Attorney for Joseph Beranek, dated February 1, 2019.

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II

AMENDMENT NO. 23 TO THE

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

WHEREAS, Section 5 of Article III of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II (the “Trust”), dated September 11, 2007, as amended from time to time, a copy of which is on file in the Office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, authorizes the Trustees of the Trust to amend the Declaration of Trust to establish, to change or abolish and rescind the designation of any Series or class of Shares without authorization by vote of the Shareholders of the Trust; and

NOW, THEREFORE, The undersigned, being at least a majority of the Trustees of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, do hereby certify that we have authorized the renaming of Columbia Variable Portfolio—Global Bond Fund to Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund and have authorized the following amendment to said Declaration of Trust:

1. Section 6 of Article III is hereby amended by replacing the text preceding paragraph (a) with the following:

Without limiting the authority of the Trustees as set forth in Section 5, inter alia, to establish and designate any further Series or classes or to modify the rights and preferences of any Series or class, the following Series shall be, and are hereby, established and designated;

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Balanced Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Core Equity Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Disciplined Core Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Dividend Opportunity Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Emerging Markets Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Global Strategic Income Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Government Money Market Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – High Yield Bond Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Income Opportunities Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Intermediate Bond Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Large Cap Index Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Limited Duration Credit Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Growth Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Mid Cap Value Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Overseas Core Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large Cap Equity Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Large—Cap Value Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Select Smaller—Cap Value Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – Seligman Global Technology Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Equities Fund

Columbia Variable Portfolio – U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

CTIVP – American Century Diversified Bond Fund

CTIVP – AQR International Core Equity Fund

CTIVP – BlackRock Global Inflation-Protected Securities Fund

CTIVP – CenterSquare Real Estate Fund

CTIVP – DFA International Value Fund

CTIVP – Loomis Sayles Growth Fund

CTIVP – Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund

CTIVP – MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund

CTIVP – MFS ® Value Fund

CTIVP – Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund

CTIVP – Oppenheimer International Growth Fund

CTIVP – T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund

CTIVP – TCW Core Plus Bond Fund


CTIVP – Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund

CTIVP – Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund

CTIVP – Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund

Variable Portfolio – Aggressive Portfolio

Variable Portfolio – Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund

Variable Portfolio – Conservative Portfolio

Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund

Variable Portfolio – Moderate Portfolio

Variable Portfolio – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio

Variable Portfolio – Moderately Conservative Portfolio

Variable Portfolio – Partners Core Bond Fund

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Growth Fund

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Shares of each Series established in this Section 6 shall have the following rights and preferences relative to Shares of each other Series, and Shares of each class of a Multi-Class Series shall have such rights and preferences relative to other classes of the same Series as are set forth in the Declaration of Trust, together with such other rights and preferences relative to such other classes as are set forth in the Trust’s Rule 18f-3 Plan, registration statement as from time to time amended, and any applicable resolutions of the Trustees establishing and designating such class of Shares.

The rest of this Section 6 remains unchanged.

The foregoing amendment is effective as of January 31, 2019.

[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed this Amendment No. 23 to the Declaration of Trust on

January 31, 2019.

 

/s/ Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.

                 

/s/ Brian J. Gallagher

                           
Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.      Brian J. Gallagher   

/s/ George S. Batejan

    

/s/ Catherine James Paglia

  
George S. Batejan      Catherine James Paglia   

/s/ Kathleen A. Blatz

    

/s/ Anthony M. Santomero

  
Kathleen A. Blatz      Anthony M. Santomero   

/s/ Pamela G. Carlton

    

/s/ Minor M. Shaw

  
Pamela G. Carlton      Minor M. Shaw   

/s/ Patricia M. Flynn

    

/s/ William F. Truscott

  
Patricia M. Flynn      William F. Truscott   
    

/s/ Sandra Yeager

  
     Sandra Yeager   

 

Registered

Agent:         Corporation Service Company

84 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

AMENDMENT NO. 3

TO THE SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

This Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”), made and entered into as of January 30, 2019, is made a part of the Subadvisory Agreement between Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Investment Manager”) and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, a Delaware limited partnership dated September 23, 2011, as amended December 5, 2013 and June 5, 2014 (the “Agreement”).

WHEREAS, Investment Manager and Subadviser desire to amend the Agreement, including Schedule A.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

  1.

All references to “Active Portfolios Multi-Manager Value Fund” in the Agreement shall be, and hereby are, changed to “Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund,” and shall mean “Multi-Manager Value Strategies Fund” identified on the amended Schedule A attached to this Amendment. All references to “Variable Portfolio – DFA International Value Fund” in the Agreement shall be, and hereby are, changed to “CTIVP – DFA International Value Fund,” and shall mean “CTIVP – DFA International Value Fund” identified on the amended Schedule A attached to this Amendment.

 

  2.

Schedule A . Schedule A to the Agreement shall be, and hereby is, deleted and replaced with the Schedule A attached hereto.

 

  3.

Portfolio Management . Section 1(a) of the Agreement shall be, and hereby is, amended by adding the following as paragraph 1(a)(iii)(D):

Derivatives Authority . Subadviser is authorized on behalf of the Fund, consistent with the investment discretion delegated to Subadviser herein, and is hereby appointed as the Fund’s agent and attorney in fact with authority to: (i) enter into, subject to the review of legal counsel for the Investment Manager prior to Subadviser’s execution thereof, agreements and execute any documents on behalf of the Fund (e.g. any futures or derivatives documentation such as exchange traded and over-the-counter transaction documentation, as applicable) required with respect to any investments made for the Fund (such documentation includes but is not limited to any market and/or industry standard documentation and the standard representations contained therein); (ii) acknowledge the receipt of brokers’ risk disclosure statements, electronic trading disclosure statements and

Document Number: 354607


  similar disclosures; and (iii) open, continue and terminate brokerage accounts and other brokerage arrangements with respect to the portfolio transactions entered into by Subadviser on behalf of the Fund. Subadviser further shall have the authority to instruct the custodian to: (i) pay cash for securities and other property delivered for the Fund; (ii) deliver or accept delivery of, upon receipt of payment or payment upon receipt of, securities, commodities or other property underlying any futures or options contracts, and other property purchased or sold for the Fund; and (iii) deposit margin or collateral which shall include the transfer of money, securities or other property to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and necessary to meet the obligations of the Fund with respect to any investments made in accordance with the Prospectus and SAI. Subadviser shall not have the authority to cause the Investment Manager to deliver securities or other property, or pay cash to Subadviser other than payment of the management fee provided for in this Agreement.

 

  4.

Portfolio Management . Section 1(a) of the Agreement shall be, and hereby is, amended by adding the following as paragraph (vi):

 

  “(vi)

Management of Funds with Multiple Subadvisers . Subadviser’s responsibilities for providing services to a Fund shall be limited to the portion of the Fund’s assets allocated to Subadviser (“Subadviser Account”). Subadviser shall not, without the prior approval of Investment Manager, effect any transactions that would cause the Subadviser Account, treated as a separate fund, to be out of compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions. Subadviser shall not consult with any other subadviser of a Fund concerning transactions for the Fund in securities or other assets.”

 

  5.

Compensation of Subadviser . Section 4 of the Agreement shall be, and hereby is, deleted and replaced with the following:

For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, Investment Manager will pay to Subadviser, effective from the date of this Agreement, a fee which shall be determined daily and paid monthly, on or before the last business day of the next succeeding calendar month, at the annual rates set forth in the attached Schedule A which Schedule can be modified from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties to reflect changes in annual rates, subject to appropriate approvals required by the 1940 Act, if any. If this Agreement

Document Number: 354607


becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee for the period from the effective date to the end of the month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that such portion of the month bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs. During the term of this Agreement, Subadviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other assets (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the Fund.

 

  6.

Duration and Termination . Section 9(a) shall be, and hereby is, deleted and replaced with the following:

Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement, with respect to each Fund identified on Schedule A (as amended from time to time), shall continue from the date of its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Thereafter, if not terminated with respect to a Fund, this Agreement shall continue automatically for such Fund for successive periods of 12 months each, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of a majority of the Board members who are not parties to this Agreement and are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, and (ii) by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

 

  7.

Duration and Termination . Section 9(c) to the Agreement shall be, and hereby is, deleted and replaced with the following:

In the event of termination of the Agreement, those paragraphs of the Agreement which govern conduct of the parties’ future interactions with respect to Subadviser having provided investment management services to the Fund(s) for the duration of the Agreement, including, but not limited to, paragraphs 1(a)(iv)(a), 1(c), 1(d), 1(e), 1(f), 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), 15, 17, 18, 20 and 21 shall survive such termination of the Agreement.

Document Number: 354607


  8.

Notices . Section 12 to the Agreement shall be, and hereby is, amended by deleting the addresses for Subadviser and Investment Manager and replacing them with the following:

 

  Subadviser:

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

General Counsel

6300 Bee Cave Road

Building One

Austin, Texas 78746

 

  Investment

Manager:

Paul Mikelson

Vice President, Subadvised Strategies

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

707 2 nd Ave. S, Routing: H17 435

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Tel: (612) 671-4452

Fax: (612) 671-0618

with a copy to:

Christopher O. Petersen

Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

5228 Ameriprise Financial Center, Routing: 27/5228

Minneapolis, MN 55474

Tel: (612) 671-4321

Fax: (612) 671-2680

 

  9.

The following shall be, and is hereby added as Section 21 to the Agreement:

Fund is only Third-Party Beneficiary . The Fund is intended to be the only third party beneficiary of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, and without in any way implying that there are any other third-party beneficiaries to the Agreement or any other agreement with respect to the Trust or any of its series, no person other than the Investment Manager and the Subadviser as parties to this Agreement and the Fund, as a third-party

Document Number: 354607


beneficiary, shall be entitled to any right or benefit arising under or in respect of this Agreement, and there are no other third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or shall be read to, (i) create in any other person (including without limitation any shareholder of any Fund) any direct, indirect, derivative, or other rights against the Investment Manager or Subadviser, or (ii) create or give rise to any duty or obligation on the part of the Investment Manager or Subadviser (including without limitation any fiduciary duty) to any person other than the Fund, all of which rights, benefits, duties, and obligations are hereby expressly excluded.

 

  10.

Miscellaneous . Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. As modified herein, the Agreement is confirmed and remains in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

Columbia Management Investment

Advisers, LLC

                    

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

 

By: Dimensional Holdings Inc., its General Partner

By:   /s/ David Weiss     By:   /s/ Carolyn O.
  Signature       Signature
Name:   David Weiss     Name:   Carolyn O.
  Printed       Printed
Title:   Assistant Secretary     Title:   Vice President

Document Number: 354607


AMENDMENT NO. 3

TO THE SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE A

[REDACTED DATA]

Document Number: 354607

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II of our reports dated as indicated in Appendix A, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appear in the Annual Reports on Form N-CSR of the funds indicated in Appendix A for the year ended December 31, 2018. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights”, “Consolidated Financial Highlights”, “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Organization and Management of Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 25, 2019


Appendix A

 

Fund Name

   Date of Most
Recent Audited
Report

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Balanced Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Commodity Strategy Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Core Equity Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Disciplined Core Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Dividend Opportunity Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Emerging Markets Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Global Strategic Income Fund

   2/20/2019

(formerly Columbia Variable Portfolio — Global Bond Fund)

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Government Money Market Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — High Yield Bond Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Income Opportunities Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Intermediate Bond Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Large Cap Growth Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Large Cap Index Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Limited Duration Credit Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Mid Cap Growth Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Mid Cap Value Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Overseas Core Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Select Large Cap Equity Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Select Large-Cap Value Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Select Smaller-Cap Value Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — Seligman Global Technology Fund

   2/20/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — U.S. Equities Fund

   2/21/2019

Columbia Variable Portfolio — U.S. Government Mortgage Fund

   2/20/2019

CTIVP ® — American Century Diversified Bond Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — AQR International Core Equity Fund

(formerly CTIVP SM Pyramis ® International Equity Fund)

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — BlackRock Global Inflation—Protected Securities Fund

   2/20/2019

CTIVP ® — CenterSquare Real Estate Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — DFA International Value Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — Loomis Sayles Growth Fund

   2/20/2019

CTIVP ® — Los Angeles Capital Large Cap Growth Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — MFS ® Blended Research ® Core Equity Fund

   2/20/2019

CTIVP ® — MFS ® Value Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — Morgan Stanley Advantage Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — Oppenheimer International Growth Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — T. Rowe Price Large Cap Value Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — TCW Core Plus Bond Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — Victory Sycamore Established Value Fund

   2/20/2019

CTIVP ® — Wells Fargo Short Duration Government Fund

   2/21/2019

CTIVP ® — Westfield Mid Cap Growth Fund

   2/21/2019

Variable Portfolio — Aggressive Portfolio

   2/20/2019

Variable Portfolio — Columbia Wanger International Equities Fund

   2/21/2019

Variable Portfolio — Conservative Portfolio

   2/20/2019

Variable Portfolio — Managed Volatility Moderate Growth Fund

   2/20/2019

Variable Portfolio — Moderate Portfolio

   2/20/2019

Variable Portfolio — Moderately Aggressive Portfolio

   2/20/2019

Variable Portfolio — Moderately Conservative Portfolio

   2/20/2019

Variable Portfolio — Partners Core Bond Fund

   2/21/2019

Variable Portfolio — Partners Small Cap Growth Fund

   2/21/2019

Variable Portfolio — Partners Small Cap Value Fund

   2/20/2019

Fund Policy: Code of Ethics (Rule 17(j)-1)

C OLUMBIA F UNDS B OARD

 

Type of Policy

  

Fund Policy

Applicable Regulatory Authority   

Section 17(j) of the 1940 Act;

Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act;

Rule 204-2(a)(12) of the Advisers Act;

Section 15(f) of the 1934 Act.

Requires Annual Approval    Board must receive CCO Certifications and Review
Last Reviewed by AMC    March 2019

Overview and Statement

Section 17(j) of the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for any affiliated person of or principal underwriter for a registered investment company, or any affiliated person of an investment adviser of or principal underwriter for an investment company, to engage in any act, practice or course of business in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of any security held or to be acquired by such investment company in contravention of such rules as the SEC may adopt to prevent any such acts, practices and courses of business as are fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative. Section 17(j) is intended to permit the SEC to create guidelines to prohibit persons affiliated with investment companies and their investment advisers and principal underwriters from engaging in securities transactions for their personal accounts when such transactions are likely to conflict with the investment programs of such investment companies.

In response to Section 17(j), the SEC adopted Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Rule 17j-1:

 

   

Prohibits affiliated persons of investment companies, and affiliated persons of their investment advisers and principal underwriters, from defrauding the investment company;

 

   

Requires investment companies, their investment advisers and principal underwriters to adopt written codes of ethics containing provisions reasonably necessary to prevent certain affiliated persons known as “access persons” (defined in Section II) from defrauding the investment company; and

 

   

Requires access persons to report to the investment company, adviser or distributor all transactions in securities of which they are the beneficial owners, subject to certain exceptions.

The Code of Ethics (the “Code”) set forth in this document shall apply to each covered fund 1 (“Fund”) advised by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”) whose Board specifically adopts the Code. The Code applies to any of a Fund’s access persons who are not otherwise covered under a Code of Ethics of the Adviser (including any Sub-adviser) or principal underwriter of the Fund that has been approved by the Board 2 (an “Investment Adviser Code”), are not independent access persons (as defined below).

 

1  

A covered fund is a closed end fund, a mutual fund, or an exchange traded fund for which CMIA serves as an investment adviser or for which an affiliate of CMIA serves as principal underwriter.

2  

The Investment Adviser Code of Ethics for Covered Persons was adopted by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. and approved by the Fund Boards pursuant to Rule 17j-1. The Sub-advisers to the covered funds and ALPS, statutory underwriter to the Columbia ETFs, have also adopted Investment Adviser Codes that the Boards, as applicable, have approved pursuant to Rule 17j-1.

 

 

Page 1 of 11


  Fund Policy: Code of Ethics (Rule 17(j)-1) Policy   

 

A person who is deemed an access person of the Fund and who is also an access person of the Adviser (including any Sub-adviser) or principal underwriter to the Fund is only required to report under and otherwise comply with the Investment Adviser Code. Such persons, however, are still subject to the principles and prohibitions contained in Section I of the Fund’s Code.

Regardless of a person’s designation, Sections III and IV of this Code apply to all access persons of a Fund.

This Fund Policy should be read and interpreted in conjunction with the Overview and Implementation of the Compliance Program Policy .

 

  I.

Purpose.

The Board of each Fund has adopted this Code in order to comply with applicable regulatory requirements as outlined below:

Rule 17j-1(b) under the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for any officer or Board member of a Fund (as well as other persons who are access persons), in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of a security “held or to be acquired” 3 by the Fund:

 

  A.

To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund;

 

  B.

To make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

 

  C.

To engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Fund; or

 

  D.

To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund.

The restrictions included in this Code are designed to prevent violations of these prohibitions. (See Rule 17j-1(b)).

In addition, the Investment Company Institute (the “ICI”) has suggested that investment companies adopt additional measures to obviate conflicts, prevent and detect abusive practices and preserve the confidence of investors. Various requirements included in this Code are intended to substantially conform to additional measures suggested by the ICI.

This Code states the general principle for the operations of the Fund, sets out the principles of conduct for the members of the Board, and establishes requirements to assure transactions are carried out consistent with the standard.

 

3  

A security “held or to be acquired” by the Fund means any “Covered Security” which, within the most recent 15 days: (i) is or has been held by the Fund; or (ii) is being or has been considered by the Fund or its Adviser for purchase by the Fund; and any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a “Covered Security.”

 

 

Page 2 of 11


  Fund Policy: Code of Ethics (Rule 17(j)-1) Policy   

 

  II.

Definitions.

Access person is any director, officer or employee of the Fund, and any individual (other than an independent access person (as defined below)) who falls within the definition of “Access Person” under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

Independent access person is

 

  1)

A director/trustee of the Fund who is not an “interested person” (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or

 

  2)

An individual who is engaged by the Board (a “Board Support Person”) to provide administrative services to the Board and/or its directors/trustees, who is not an interested person of the Adviser, and who, in the course of his or her duties, receives any information made available to a director/trustee of the Fund.

The Fund’s CCO shall maintain a list of independent access persons of the Fund and advise them of their status once each year.

Covered security is any stock, bond or other instrument as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act as well as all exchange traded funds. A covered security is not a security issued by the Government of the United States, a bankers’ acceptance, a bank certificate of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements, or shares issued by a registered open-end investment company other than covered funds or any exchange traded fund.

Covered security transaction includes, among other things, a transaction in a covered security, an option to purchase or sell a covered security and an over-the-counter contract on a narrow-based index of securities.

 

  III.

Policy Regarding Insider Trading.

No access person or independent access person who has any material non-public information relating to a covered security or to any publicly-traded companies or any issuer thereof with which the Fund or its investment manager, CMIA (or its affiliates) does business, such as customers, partners, or suppliers, may buy or sell such covered securities (or securities of such publicly-traded companies), pass the information to others for use in trading in securities or otherwise attempt to take advantage of the information.

For purposes of this Code immediate family member means any parent, spouse of a parent, child, spouse of a child, spouse, domestic partner, brother, or sister (including step and adoptive relationships) sharing the same household.

 

  IV.

Procedures.

 

  A.

Personal Security Transactions.

 

  1.

Prohibited Security Transactions in Covered Securities

No access person or independent access person shall purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any covered security in which such person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership, or cause any account over which he or she has any direct or indirect influence or control to purchase or sell any covered security , if at the time of such purchase or sale he or she knew or should have known the covered security is being considered for purchase or sale, or is being purchased or sold, for the Fund.

 

 

Page 3 of 11


  Fund Policy: Code of Ethics (Rule 17(j)-1) Policy   

 

  2.

Prohibited Transactions in Shares of a Fund

No access person or independent access person shall purchase or redeem (or, in the case of a covered security issued by a closed-end fund, sell) shares of a Fund in a manner that a reasonable investor would perceive to be market timing. The shares of all Funds, except for any money market Fund operating under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, are subject to this prohibition.

 

  3.

Prohibited Use of Material, Nonpublic Information

No access person or independent access person shall trade, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of material, nonpublic information, nor may they communicate material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law.

The restrictions set forth in Section IV shall not apply to:

 

   

Purchases or sales over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control (i.e., non-volitional trades);

 

   

Purchases which are part of an “Automatic Investment Plan” 4 ;

 

   

Purchases which are effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from the issuer, and sales of such rights;

 

   

Sales which are effected pursuant to a tender offer or similar transaction involving an offer to acquire all or a significant portion of a class of securities; or

 

   

Purchases or sales in an investment advisory account of the person (either or alone or with others) over which the investment adviser for the account exercises investment discretion if the person did not have knowledge of the transaction before it was executed.

 

  B.

Reporting.

 

  1.

Access Persons.

Access persons who are not otherwise covered under an Investment Adviser Code and are not independent access persons shall file initial, quarterly and annual reports as follows to a senior compliance manager:

 

  i.

Initial Holdings Report.

Each access person shall, upon assuming the position by which he or she became an access person, file a copy of each brokerage statement from the previous month which reflects the title, number of shares and principal amount of each covered security in which the access person has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership, and the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom an account containing covered securities is held.

 

4  

An “Automatic Investment Plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes dividend and stock reinvestment plans.

 

 

Page 4 of 11


  Fund Policy: Code of Ethics (Rule 17(j)-1) Policy   

 

The same information must be provided for any covered security in which the access person has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership which is not reflected on brokerage statements. The report must be dated and filed within 10 days of assuming the position. See Appendix A for sample report.

 

  ii.

Quarterly Transaction Report.

A report shall be filed at the end of each calendar quarter that states the access person had no covered security transactions during the quarter, or had only covered security transactions that are set forth on the monthly statements issued by each broker at which the access person has an account. The report shall attach these monthly statements from each brokerage account he or she maintains which shall include the following information:

 

  a.

Date of the transaction;

 

  b.

Title of the security, interest rate and maturity date;

 

  c.

Number of shares or principal amount;

 

  d.

Nature of transaction (purchase, sale, option, etc.); and

 

  e.

Price at which the transaction was effected.

Any transaction in a covered security not reflected on the brokerage statements shall be described on the report. The report shall be dated and filed within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter. See Appendic B for sample report

 

  iii.

Annual Holdings Report.

An annual report shall be filed that references each brokerage statement for the previous month, and shall list the title, number of shares and principal amount of any other covered security not listed on the statement in which the access person has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership.

In addition, it shall state that the access person has read the Code and complied with its provisions. All annual reports shall be dated and filed no later than 30 days after the end of the year. See Appendix C for sample report.

 

  iv.

Annual Review.

The senior compliance manager will report to the Fund CCO any violation and the Fund CCO will report such matters to the Board.

 

  2.

Independent access persons.

Independent access persons shall report to the Chair of the Board, who shall have responsibility for reviewing each report, on a quarterly (if applicable) and an annual basis as follows:

 

 

Page 5 of 11


  Fund Policy: Code of Ethics (Rule 17(j)-1) Policy   

 

  i.

Quarterly report.

No quarterly report shall be filed unless at the time of a covered security transaction , the independent access person knew or in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Board member or a Board Suport Person should have known, that during the 15-day period immediately preceding or following the date of the transaction, the covered security was purchased or sold or was being considered for purchase or sale for the Fund. It is the responsibility of the Fund officers and the investment manager to keep to a minimum any discussion with independent access persons pertaining to covered securities that are being considered or being actively traded for the Fundand to ensure that independent access persons are made aware of when such a discussion occurs so that they can avoid trading the covered security . In this regard, following the adjournment of any Meeting, the independent access persons will be notified of any covered securities that, based on discussions during the Board meeting, the independent access persons might have a reasonable basis for knowing, during the 15-day period immediately preceding or following the meeting, were or will be purchased or sold by the Fund, or were being or will be considered for purchase or sale for the Fund.

 

  ii.

Annual report.

An annual report shall be filed stating whether he or she has read the Code and complied with its provisions. See Appendix D for sample report.

 

  V.

Recordkeeping.

Recordkeeping functions under this Code are performed by AMC for access persons . Records shall be maintained by the Board or AMC, as applicable for a period of seven years and shall keep all reports filed pursuant to this Code confidential except that such reports will be made available to the CCO, the SEC, or any representative thereof upon proper request:

 

  A.

A copy of the Code of Ethics;

 

  B.

A list of all independent access persons and a list of persons responsible for reviewing their reports;

 

  C.

A record of any violation and of any action taken;

 

  D.

A copy of each report filed under this Code; and

 

  E.

A copy of each written report and certification furnished to the Board by the CCO, on the Fund’s behalf (as required by Section 10 below).

 

  VI.

Review of the Code by the Board.

On an annual basis, the Board shall review operation of this Code and shall adopt such amendments as may be necessary to assure that the Code contains provisions reasonably necessary to prevent violations of Rule 17j-1(b).

In addition to adhering to the requirements listed in this Code of Ethics Fund Policy, trustees/directors will complete an Annual Questionnaire, which is designed to evaluate potential conflicts of interests, employment/director positions, ownership of defined securities, and compliance with code of conduct provisions.

 

 

Page 6 of 11


  Fund Policy: Code of Ethics (Rule 17(j)-1) Policy   

 

At least annually, the CCO, on the Fund’s behalf, will provide to the Board, and the Board will consider, a written report that:

 

  A.

Describes any issues arising under the Code or related procedures during the past year, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or any procedures adopted in connection therewith and that describes the sanctions imposed in response to material violations; and

 

  B.

Certifies that the Fund and each service provider have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons from violating the Code.

 

 

Page 7 of 11


APPENDIX A

[NAME OF FUND COMPLEX]

Initial Holdings Report *

Pursuant to Section IV(B)(1)(i) of the Code of Ethics

To the Senior Compliance Manager:

I have reported below ** all holdings of Covered Securities in which I had any direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership” and all accounts maintained at brokers, dealers, and/or banks that held any securities directly or indirectly for my benefit on                         , 201    , the day I became an Access Person . I understand that I am required to report my own holdings and accounts, and holdings and accounts of: (a) immediate family members who live with me, (b) partnerships of which I am a general partner, (c) trusts of which I am a trustee if I have investment control and either I have a pecuniary interest or an immediate family member is a beneficiary (whether or not they live with me), (d) revocable trusts of which I am a settlor, and (e) trusts of which I am a beneficiary if I have any investment control.

“Covered Securities” (direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership”)

 


Title of Security

   Number of Shares (equity security) or
Principal Amount (debt security)
 
  
  
  
  
  

Security Accounts (holding securities for my direct or indirect benefit)

 

Broker, Dealer or Bank Name

   Name(s)
on Account
 
  
  
  

This report may exclude holdings and accounts as to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, and is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership” in the holdings and accounts listed above.

 

Dated:  

 

   Signature:   

 

 

*

Please complete and submit this form no later than 10 days after you became an “Access Person”.

**

You may attach account statements instead of listing holdings and security accounts.

 

 

Page 8 of 11


APPENDIX B

[NAME OF FUND COMPLEX]

Quarterly Transaction Report *

Pursuant to Section IV(B)(1)(ii) of the Code of Ethics

To the Senior Compliance Manager:

I have reported below ** all transactions effected in Covered Securities in which I had any direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership” and all accounts established at brokers, dealers, and/or banks that held any securities directly or indirectly for my benefit during the calendar quarter ended                         , 201    . I understand that I am required to report my own transactions and accounts, and transactions and accounts of: (a) immediate family members who live with me, (b) partnerships of which I am a general partner, (c) trusts of which I am a trustee if I have investment control and either I have a pecuniary interest or an immediate family member is a beneficiary (whether or not they live with me), (d) revocable trusts of which I am a settlor, and (e) trusts of which I am a beneficiary if I have any investment control.

“Covered Securities” (direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership”)

 

Title of

Security

   Date of
Transaction
     Number of Shares
(equity security) or
Principal Amount
(debt security)
     Interest Rate and
Maturity Date (if
applicable)
     Nature of
Transaction
(Purchase,
Sale Other)
     Price of
Covered Security
     Broker,
Dealer
or Bank
Name
     Ticker
Symbol or
CUSIP
Number
 
                    
                    
                    

Security Accounts (holding securities for my direct or indirect benefit)

 

Broker, Dealer or Bank Name

   Name(s) on Account      Date Account Was Established  
     
     
     

This report may exclude transactions and accounts as to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, and is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership” in the securities and accounts listed above.

 

Dated:  

 

   Signature:   

 

 

*

Please complete and submit this form no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

**

You may attach account statements instead of listing transactions and security accounts.

 

 

Page 9 of 11


APPENDIX C

[NAME OF FUND COMPLEX]

December 31, 201_ Annual Holdings Report *

Pursuant to Section IV(B)(1)(iii) of the Code of Ethics

To the Senior Compliance Manager:

I have reported below ** all holdings of Covered Securities in which I had any direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership” and all accounts maintained at brokers, dealers, and/or banks that held any securities directly or indirectly for my benefit on December 31, 201    . I understand that I am required to report my own holdings and accounts, and holdings and accounts of: (a) immediate family members who live with me, (b) partnerships of which I am a general partner, (c) trusts of which I am a trustee if I have investment control and either I have a pecuniary interest or an immediate family member is a beneficiary (whether or not they live with me), (d) revocable trusts of which I am a settlor, and (e) trusts of which I am a beneficiary if I have any investment control.

“Covered Securities” (direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership”)

 

Title of Security

   Number of Shares (equity security)
or Principal Amount (debt security)
     Ticker Symbol or CUSIP Number  
     
     

Security Accounts (holding securities for my direct or indirect benefit)

 

Broker, Dealer or Bank Name

   Name(s) on Account  
  
  
  
  

This report may exclude holdings and accounts as to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, and is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect “Beneficial Ownership” in the holdings and accounts listed above.

 

Dated:  

 

   Signature:   

 

 

*

Please complete and submit this form no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar year.

**

You may attach account statements instead of listing holdings and accounts.

 

 

Page 10 of 11


APPENDIX D

[NAME OF FUND COMPLEX]

Annual Certification of Compliance

for the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 201_.

Pursuant to Section IV(B)(2)(ii) of the Code of Ethics

To the Senior Compliance Manager:

I hereby certify that, during the calendar year specified above, I have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics and have disclosed or reported all accounts, holdings and personal securities transactions, if any, that I am required to disclose or report pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics. I have read and understand the Code of Ethics and recognize that I am subject thereto.

 

Dated:  

 

   Signature:   

 

 

 

Page 11 of 11

Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Snapshot of the Policy

The Code of Ethics is a comprehensive policy which provides the standards for personal investing by American Century Investments (ACI) employees. Each employee has a Code of Ethics classification based on their job responsibilities and the ability to access nonpublic information about ACI client portfolios’ security holdings and trading activities. The restrictions on personal investing contained in the Code vary by classification. The Code of Ethics also applies to accounts and securities that ACI employees beneficially own (i.e. owned by immediate family sharing your household, your domestic partner, or those you have power of attorney over, etc.).

It is important that you understand the Code and the restrictions on investing in personal securities and reportable mutual funds. This page contains a summary of the Code requirements. Please review the full text of the Code to fully understand your responsibilities. Contact Compliance if you have questions about the policy and how it applies to your situation. The Code of Ethics system (http://coe/) is the primary tool for performing your duties under the Code. All reporting and preclearance is performed in the Code of Ethics system.

Requirements for All Employees

Non-Access Persons, Access Persons, Investment Persons, and Portfolio Persons must

 

   

Place our client’s interest first

 

   

Comply with federal securities laws

 

   

Report violations to Compliance

 

   

Acknowledge that you have read and understand the Code of Ethics

 

   

Disclose reportable brokerage accounts and reportable mutual fund accounts

 

   

Transfer reportable brokerage accounts to a broker that provides electronic trade confirmations (See Schedule C).

 

   

Comply with short-term trading restrictions for ACI client portfolios.

 

   

Obtain written approval to enter into an arrangement or agreement that could create a conflict of interest with ACI activities (i.e. serving on the board of directors of a publicly traded company).

Requirements for Access Persons, Investment and Portfolio Persons

Access Persons, Investment Persons, Portfolio Persons must

 

   

Disclose holdings within 10 days of designation and annually, thereafter

 

   

Disclose personal security transactions on a quarterly basis

 

   

Disclose conflicts of interest annually

 

   

Obtain approval (preclearance) to trade in reportable securities

Trading Prohibitions

 

   

Investment Persons and Portfolio Persons cannot participate in an Initial Public Offering.

 

   

Investment Persons and Portfolio Persons cannot profit on short-term reportable security trades within 60 calendar days.

 

   

Portfolio Persons cannot trade within seven days before and after transactions of a fund you manage.

 

   

Portfolio Persons cannot sell a security which is held by your assigned fund or buy a security held as a short position in your assigned funds.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

1


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Table of Contents

 

Snapshot of the Policy

     1  

Requirements for All Employees

     1  

Requirements for Access Persons, Investment and Portfolio Persons

     1  

Trading Prohibitions

     1  

Purpose of Code

     3  

Why Do We Have a Code of Ethics?

     3  

Does the Code of Ethics Apply to You?

     4  

Restrictions on Personal Investing Activities

     5  

Reporting Requirements

     9  

Can there be any exceptions to the restrictions?

     12  

Confidential Information

     13  

Conflicts of Interest

     14  

What happens if you violate the rules in the Code of Ethics?

     14  

ACI’s Quarterly Report to Fund Directors/Trustees

     15  

APPENDIX 1: DEFINITIONS

     16  

APPENDIX 2: WHAT IS “BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP”?

     19  

APPENDIX 3: CODE-EXEMPT SECURITIES

     22  

APPENDIX 4: HOW THE PRECLEARANCE PROCESS WORKS

     23  

SCHEDULE A: BOARD APPROVAL DATES

     26  

SCHEDULE B: SUBADVISED FUNDS

     27  

SCHEDULE C: APPROVED ELECTRONIC BROKERS

     29  

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

2


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Purpose of Code

The Code of Ethics guides the personal investment activities of American Century Investments (ACI) employees (including full and part-time employees, contract and temporary employees, officers and directors), and members of their immediate family. 1 The Code of Ethics aids in the elimination and detection of personal securities transactions by employees that might be viewed as fraudulent or might conflict with the interests of our client portfolios. Such transactions may include:

 

   

the misuse of client trading information for personal benefit (including so-called “front-running”),

 

   

the misappropriation of investment opportunities that may be appropriate for client portfolios,

 

   

and excessive personal trading that may affect our ability to provide services to our clients.

Violations of this Code must be promptly reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.

Why Do We Have a Code of Ethics?

 

A.

Investors have placed their trust in ACI

As an investment adviser, ACI is entrusted with the assets of our clients for investment purposes. Our employees’ personal trading activities and the administration of the Code are governed by these general fiduciary principles:

 

   

The interests of our clients must be placed before our own.

 

   

Any personal securities transactions must be conducted consistent with this Code and in a manner as to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Complying with these principles is how we earn and keep our clients’ trust. To protect this trust, we will hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards.

 

B.

ACI wants to give you flexible investing options

Management believes that ACI’s own mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles provide a broad range of investment alternatives in virtually every segment of the securities market. We encourage ACI employees to use these vehicles for their personal investments. We do not encourage active trading by our employees. We recognize, however, that individual needs differ and that there are other attractive investment opportunities. As a result, this Code is intended to give you and your family flexibility to invest, without jeopardizing relationships with our clients.

Our employees are able to undertake personal transactions in stocks and other individual securities subject to the terms of this Code. All employees are required to report their personal security transactions in their own and in beneficially owned securities under this Code. Additionally, Portfolio, Investment and Access Persons are required to receive preclearance of transactions and further limitations are placed on the transactions of Portfolio and Investment Persons.

 

1  

The directors or trustees of Fund Clients who are not “interested persons” (the “Independent Directors”) are covered under a separate Code applicable only to them.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

3


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

C.

Federal law requires that we have a Code of Ethics

The Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 require that we have safeguards in place to prevent personal investment activities that might take inappropriate advantage of our fiduciary position. These safeguards are embodied in this Code of Ethics. 2

Does the Code of Ethics Apply to You?

Yes! All ACI employees and contract personnel must observe the principles contained in this Code of Ethics. This Code applies to your personal investments, as well as those for which you are a beneficial owner. However, there are different requirements for different categories of employees. The category in which you have been placed generally depends on your job function, although circumstances may prompt us to place you in a different category. The range of categories is as follows:

 

Fewest

Restrictions

   LOGO   

Most

Restrictions

Non-Access Person

                         Portfolio Person

   Access Person    Investment Person

The standard profile for each of the categories is described below:

 

A.

Portfolio Persons

Portfolio Persons include portfolio managers and equity investment analysts and any other Investment Persons (as defined below) with authority to enter purchase/sale orders on behalf of client portfolios.

 

B.

Investment Persons

Investment Persons include:

 

   

Any supervised persons that have access to nonpublic information regarding any client portfolio’s securities trading, securities recommendations, or portfolio holdings or are involved in making securities recommendations that are nonpublic; and

 

   

Any officers and directors of an investment adviser.

 

2  

Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 serve as a basis for much of what is contained in this Code of Ethics.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

4


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

C.

Access Persons

Access Persons are persons who, in connection with their regular function and duties, consistently obtain information regarding current purchase and sale recommendations and daily transaction and holdings information concerning client portfolios. Examples of persons that may be considered Access Persons include:

 

   

Persons who are directly involved in the execution, clearance, and settlement of purchases and sales of securities (e.g. certain investment operations personnel);

 

   

Persons whose function requires them to evaluate trading activity on a real-time basis (e.g. attorneys, accountants, portfolio compliance personnel);

 

   

Persons who assist in the design, implementation, and maintenance of investment management technology systems (e.g. certain I/T personnel, including contractors);

 

   

Support staff and supervisors of the above if they are required to obtain such information as a part of their regular function and duties; and

 

   

An officer or “interested” director of our Fund Clients.

Single, infrequent, or inadvertent instances of access to current recommendations or real-time trading information or the opportunity to obtain such information through casual observance or bundled data security access may not be sufficient to qualify you as an Access Person.

 

D.

Non-Access Persons

If you are an ACI officer, director, or employee and you do not fit into any of the above categories, you are a Non-Access Person. Contractors and temporary employees may be considered Non-Access Persons depending on their role. While your trading is not subject to preclearance and other restrictions applicable to Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons, you are still subject to the remaining provisions of the Code.

Restrictions on Personal Investing Activities

 

A.

Principles of Personal Investing

All ACI employees, officers, and directors, and members of their immediate family, must comply with the federal securities laws and other governmental rules and regulations, and maintain ACI’s high ethical standards when making personal securities transactions. You must not misuse nonpublic information about client security holdings or contemplated, pending, or completed portfolio transactions for your personal benefit or the benefit of others. Likewise, you may not cause a client portfolio to take action, or fail to take action, for your personal benefit.

In addition, investment opportunities appropriate for client portfolios should not be retained for the personal benefit of yourself or others. Investment opportunities arising as a result of ACI investment management activities must first be considered for inclusion in our client portfolios.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

5


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

B.

Trading on Inside Information

Federal law prohibits you from trading based on material nonpublic information received from any source or communicating this information to others. This could include confidential information received by employees regarding securities that are, or maybe considered as potential portfolio investments. You are expected to abide by the highest ethical and legal standards in conducting your personal investment activities. For more information regarding what to do when you believe you are in possession of material nonpublic information, please consult ACI’s Insider Trading Policy .

 

C.

Trading in ACI Mutual Funds

Excessive, short-term trading of ACI client portfolios and other abusive trading practices (such as time zone arbitrage) may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm fund performance. These practices can cause funds to maintain higher-than-normal cash balances and incur increased trading costs. Short-term and other abusive trading strategies can also cause unjust dilution of shareholder value if such trading is based on information not accurately reflected in the price of the fund.

You may not engage in short-term trading or other abusive trading strategies with respect to any ACI client portfolio. For purposes of this Code, ACI client portfolios include any mutual fund, variable annuity, institutional, or other account advised or subadvised by ACI. 3

Seven-Day Holding Period . You will be deemed to have engaged in short-term trading if you have purchased shares or otherwise invested in a variable-priced (non-money market) ACI client portfolio and redeem shares or otherwise withdraw assets from that portfolio within seven days. In other words, if you make an investment in an ACI client portfolio, you may not redeem shares from that fund before the completion of the seventh day following the purchase date.

Limited Trading Within 30 Days . We realize that abusive trading is not limited to a seven-day window. As a result, we may deem the sale of all or a substantial portion of an employee’s purchase in an ACI client portfolio to be abusive if the sale is made within 30 days, and it happens more than once every rolling twelve months.

These trading restrictions are applicable to any account for which you have the authority to direct trades or of which you are a beneficial owner, including brokerage accounts, direct shareholder accounts, retirement plans, subadvised accounts, or accounts held through an intermediary

Transactions NOT Subject to Limitations . Automatic investments such as AMIs, dividend reinvestments, employer plan contributions, and payroll deductions are not considered transactions for purposes of the holding requirements. Redemptions in variable-priced funds that allow check writing privileges will not be considered redemptions for purposes of the holding requirements.

 

3  

See Schedule A for a list of Fund Clients. See Schedule B for a list of subadvised funds.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

6


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Information to be Provided . You may be required to provide certain information regarding mutual fund accounts beneficially owned by you and transactions in reportable mutual funds. See the Reporting Requirements for your applicable Code of Ethics classification.

 

D.

Preclearance of Personal Securities Transactions

[Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons]

Preclearance of personal securities transactions allows ACI to prevent certain trades that may conflict with client trading activities. The nature of securities markets makes it impossible to predict all conflicts. As a consequence, even trades that are precleared can result in potential conflicts between your trades and those affected for client portfolios. You are responsible for avoiding such conflicts with any client portfolios for which you make investment recommendations. You have an obligation to ACI and its clients to avoid even a perception of a conflict of interest with respect to personal trading activities.

All Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons must comply with the following preclearance procedures prior to entering into (i) the purchase or sale of a security for your own account or (ii) the purchase or sale of a security for an account for which you are a beneficial owner. 4

 

  1.

Is the security a “Code-Exempt Security”?

Check Appendix 3 to see if the security is listed as a code-exempt security. If it is, then you may execute the transaction. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

 

  2.

Preclear the transaction with Compliance by 5 accessing the Code of Ethics system and entering your request at the Preclearance Request Entry screen. If you are outside of ACI’s office, you may e-mail your request to CE-Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com. You will be required to provide the following :

 

   

Broker and account number used for the transaction;

 

   

Issuer name;

 

   

Security identifier (Ticker symbol, CUSIP number, etc.);

 

   

Currency;

 

   

Type of security (stock, bond, note, etc.);

 

   

Number of shares; and

 

   

Nature of transaction (purchase or sale).

 

  3.

The request will be reviewed through our preclearance process. You will receive an e-mail informing you of your approval or denial within 48 hours of entering your request.

 

4  

See Appendix 2 for an explanation of beneficial ownership.

5  

If you are the Chief Investment Officer of an investment adviser, your preclearance request must be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

7


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

  4.

If you receive preclearance for the transaction, 6 you may execute the approved transaction the day your preclearance is granted and the following two (2) business days (the “Preclearance Period”). For example, if preclearance is granted at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, you have until the close of the market on Friday to execute the trade. If you do not execute the approved transaction within the Preclearance Period, you must repeat the preclearance procedure prior to executing the transaction.

ACI reserves the right to restrict the purchase or sale by Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons of any security at any time. Such restrictions are imposed through the use of a Restricted List that will cause the Code of Ethics system to deny the approval of preclearance to transact in the security. Securities may be restricted for a variety of reasons including without limitation, the possession of material nonpublic information by ACI or its employees.

 

E.

Additional Trading Restrictions

[Portfolio and Investment Persons]

The following additional trading restrictions apply if you are a Portfolio or Investment Person:

1. Initial Public Offerings You may not acquire securities issued in an initial public offering.

2. Private Placements Before you acquire any securities in a private placement, you must obtain approval. from the Chief Investment Officer. Request preclearance by entering your request in the Private Placement Preclearance Request Entry screen in the Code of Ethics system or by emailing your request to CE-Code of Ethics (or CE-Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com if emailing from outside of ACI’s email systems) . While your preclearance request is pending or if you own or beneficially own the privately-placed security, you may not participate in any consideration of an investment in securities of the private placement issuer for any client portfolios

3. 60-Day Rule (Short-Term Trading Profits) You may not profit from any purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities other than code-exempt securities within sixty (60) calendar days.

 

F.

Seven-Day Blackout Period

[Portfolio Persons]

If you are a Portfolio Person, you may not purchase or sell a security other than a code exempt security during the seven calendar days before and after the day it has been traded in a client portfolio that you manage (i.e., if a client portfolio transacts in a security on Monday, the Portfolio Persons managing the client portfolio must not personally trade in the security from the Monday before until the Monday after the client portfolio transaction.

 

6  

See Appendix 4 for a description of the preclearance process.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

8


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

G.

Securities held in your funds

  [Portfolio

Persons]

Personally investing in the same securities held by the client portfolios you manage may result in a conflict of interest. To mitigate this risk, you may not sell a security in which your client portfolio has a long position or purchase a security in which your client portfolio has a short position.

Reporting Requirements

You are required to file complete, accurate, and timely reports of all required information under this Code. All reported information is subject to review for indications of abusive trading, misappropriation of information, or failure to adhere to the requirements of this Code.

 

A.

Reporting Requirements Applicable to All Employees

 

  1.

Code Acknowledgement

Upon employment, any amendment of the Code, and not less than annually thereafter, you will be required to acknowledge that you have received, read, and will comply with this Code. Compliance will notify you when you must provide this information.

 

  2.

Brokerage Accounts and Duplicate Confirmations

You are required to report ALL reportable brokerage accounts that you own or beneficially own in the Code of Ethics system using the Account Maintenance page or the Account Reporting page (initial and year-end reporting) as soon as the account has been established.

To aid with required recordkeeping requirements and streamline operations, employees must hold all reportable brokerage accounts at a firm that provides electronic trade confirmations to ACI. “Reportable brokerage accounts” include both brokerage accounts maintained by you and brokerage accounts maintained by a person whose trades you must report because you are a beneficial owner. See Schedule C for a list of firms that provide electronic trade confirmations to ACI. New reportable brokerage accounts must be opened with a firm that provides electronic trade confirmations to ACI.

New employees are required to move existing reportable brokerage accounts that they own or beneficially own to an electronic broker within 90 days of the start of their employment.

Limited exemptions may be granted to hold a reportable brokerage account at firms that do not provide electronic trade confirmations. You MUST contact Compliance at CE—Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com to obtain an account exemption.

Exemptions may be requested for Managed Accounts and Blind Trusts. Please refer to page 12 of this Code, section F. Managed Account/Blind Trust Exemption.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

9


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

  3.

Reporting of Mutual Fund Accounts

 

  a.

Employee-owned ACI Direct Accounts/ ACI Retirement Plans

You are not required to report ACI Direct and ACI Retirement Plan accounts held under your own Social Security number. Trading in these accounts will be monitored based on information contained on our transfer agency and retirement plan systems.

 

  b.

Beneficially Owned Direct Accounts

You must report the following information for ACI Direct accounts in which you have a beneficial ownership interest held under a taxpayer identification or Social Security number other than your own (so-called “beneficially owned direct accounts”):

 

   

Account number and

 

   

Name(s) of record owner(s) of the account.

Trading in these accounts will be monitored based on information contained on our transfer agency system.

 

  c.

Certain third-party accounts invested in funds managed by ACI.

You are required to report other accounts invested in funds managed by ACI such as those invested in (i) any subadvised fund (see Schedule B of this Code for a list of subadvised funds); and (ii) non-ACI retirement plan, unit investment trust, variable annuity, or similar accounts in which you own or beneficially own reportable mutual funds. The following information must be reported for these accounts:

 

   

Name of the financial institution where held;

 

   

Account number; and

 

   

Name(s) of the record owner(s) of the account.

In addition, you must provide either account statements or confirmations of all trading activity in reportable third-party accounts to Compliance within 30 calendar days of the end of each calendar quarter.

 

B.

Additional Reporting Requirements [Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons]

 

  1.

Holdings Report

Within ten calendar days of becoming a Portfolio, Investment, or Access Person, and annually, thereafter, you must submit a Holdings Report. You will be notified by e-mail of the dates and requirements for filing the report(s). The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days before the report is filed and include the following:

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

10


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

   

A list of all securities, other than certain code-exempt securities 7 , that you own or in which you have a beneficial ownership interest. This listing must include the financial institution, account number, security identifier and description, number of shares, currency, and principal amount of each covered security.

 

   

A summary of your relationships that may conflict with the interests of ACI, such as outside employment, relationships with competitors, suppliers, vendors, independent contractors or consultants of ACI, or relationships with directors or trustees in outside organizations other than community charitable activities, education activities, or dissimilar family business.

 

   

Portfolio and Investment Persons must also provide a list of all reportable mutual fund holdings owned or in which they have a beneficial ownership interest. This list must include investments held directly through ACI, investments in any subadvised fund, holdings in a reportable brokerage account, and holdings in non-ACI retirement plans, unit investment trusts, variable annuity, or similar accounts.

 

  2.

Quarterly Transactions Report

Within 30 calendar days of the end of each calendar quarter, all Portfolio, Investment, and Access Persons must submit a Quarterly Transactions Report. Compliance will notify you of the dates and requirements for filing the report. A report of the transactions for which we have received your trade confirmations during the quarter will be provided for your review. It is your responsibility to review the completeness and accuracy of this report, provide any necessary changes, and certify its contents when submitted.

 

  a.

The Quarterly Transactions Report must contain the following information about each personal securities transaction undertaken during the quarter other than those in certain code exempt securities:

 

   

The financial institution’s name and account number in which the transaction was executed;

 

   

The date of the transaction, the security identifier and description and number of shares or the principal amount of each security involved;

 

   

The nature of the transaction, that is, purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition; and

 

   

The transaction price, currency and amount.

In addition, information regarding your reportable brokerage and other accounts should be verified at this time.

 

  b.

Portfolio and Investment Persons are also required to report transactions in reportable mutual funds. The Quarterly Transactions Report for such persons must contain the following information about each transaction during the quarter:

 

7  

See Appendix 3 for a listing of code-exempt securities that must be reported.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

11


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

   

The date of the transaction, the fund identifier and description and number of shares or units of each trade involved;

 

   

The nature of the transaction, that is, purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition;

 

   

The transaction price, and amount; and

 

   

The financial institution’s name and account number in which the trade was executed.

Transactions of reportable mutual funds that do not need to be reported by Portfolio and Investment Persons on the Quarterly Transaction Report include:

 

   

Reinvested dividends;

 

   

Transactions in ACI retirement plan accounts;

 

   

Transactions in mutual fund accounts held directly through ACI under your Social Security number;

 

   

Transactions in beneficially-owned Direct accounts if the account has been previously reported under this Code; and

 

   

Transactions in reportable third-party accounts for which the account statements or confirmations are provided to Compliance within 30 days of the end of the calendar quarter in which the transactions took place.

Can there be any exceptions to the restrictions?

Yes. The Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee may grant limited exemptions to specific provisions of the Code on a case-by-case basis.

 

A.

How to Request an Exemption

Request an exemption by e-mailing a written request to -CE-Code of Ethics (or CE-Code_of_Ethics@americancentury.com if emailing from outside ACI’s email system) detailing your situation.

 

B.

Factors Considered

In considering your request, the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee may grant your exemption request if he or she is satisfied that:

 

   

Your request addresses an undue personal hardship imposed on you by the Code of Ethics;

 

   

Your situation is not in conflict with the Code; and

 

   

Your exemption, if granted, would be consistent with the achievement of the objectives of the Code of Ethics.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

12


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

C.

Exemption Reporting

All exemptions must be reported to the Boards of Directors/Trustees of our Fund Clients at the next regular meeting following the initial grant of the exemption. Subsequent grants of an exemption of a type previously reported to the Boards may be affected without reporting. The Boards of Directors/Trustees may choose to delegate the task of receiving and reviewing reports to a committee comprised of Independent Directors/Trustees.

 

D.

Thirty-Day Denial Exemption on Sales

An exemption may be requested when a request to sell a security has been denied once a week over a 30-day timeframe. The covered person must be able to verify that they have periodically entered a preclearance request to sell a security in the Code of Ethics system at least four times over a 30-day period. A written request must be e-mailed to “CE-Code of Ethics” to request the exemption. The Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee will review the request and determine if the exemption is warranted. If approval is granted, compliance will designate a short trading window during which the sale can take place.

 

E.

Non-volitional Transaction Exemption

Certain non-volitional purchase and sale transactions are exempt from the preclearance requirements of the Code. These transactions include stock splits, stock dividends, exchanges and conversions, mandatory tenders, pro rata distributions to all holders of a class of securities, receipt of securities as gifts, the giving of securities, inheritances, margin/ maintenance calls (where the securities to be sold are not directed by the covered person), dividend reinvestment plans, and employer sponsored payroll deduction plans. These purchase and sale transactions, however, shall be reported in the Quarterly Transaction Report and Annual Holdings Report.

 

F.

Blind Trust/Managed Account Exemption

An exemption from the preclearance and reporting requirements of the Code may be requested for securities that are held in a blind or quasi-blind trust arrangement or a managed (discretionary) account. For the exemption to be available, you or a member of your immediate family must not have authority to advise or direct securities transactions of the trust or managed account. A written request must be emailed to “CE-Code of Ethics” with a copy of the management agreement to request the exemption. The request will only be granted once the covered person and/or the investment adviser for the trust or managed account certify that the covered person or members of their immediate family will not advise or direct transactions. ACI must receive statements at least quarterly for transactions within the trust or managed account. The employee and/or adviser may be requested by Compliance to re-certify the trust arrangement.

Confidential Information

All information about clients’ securities transactions and portfolio holdings is confidential. You must not disclose, except as required by the duties of your employment, actual or contemplated securities transactions, portfolio holdings, portfolio characteristics or other nonpublic information about Clients, or the contents of any written or oral communication, study, report or opinion concerning any security. Employees should consult the Portfolio Holdings and Characteristics Disclosure and the Confidential Information Asset Security policies before disseminating information to individuals that otherwise do not have access to the information. This does not apply to information which has already been publicly disclosed.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

13


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Conflicts of Interest

You must receive prior written approval from ACI’s General Counsel or his or her designee, as appropriate, to do any of the following:

 

   

Negotiate or enter into any agreement on a client’s behalf with any business concern doing or seeking to do business with the client if you, or a person related to you, has a substantial interest in the business concern;

 

   

Enter into an agreement, negotiate or otherwise do business on the client’s behalf with a personal friend or a person related to you; or

 

   

Serve on the board of directors of, or act as consultant to, any publicly traded corporation. Please note that ACI’s Business Code of Conduct also contains limitations on outside employment and directorships.

What happens if you violate the rules in the Code of Ethics?

If you violate the requirements of the Code of Ethics, you may be subject to serious penalties. Violations of the Code and proposed sanctions are documented by Compliance and submitted to the Code of Ethics Review Committee. The Committee consists of representatives of the investment adviser and the Compliance and Legal departments of ACI. The Committee is responsible for determining the materiality of Code violations and appropriate sanctions.

 

A.

Materiality of Violation

In determining the materiality of a violation, the Committee considers:

 

   

Evidence of violation of law;

 

   

Indicia of fraud, neglect, or indifference to Code provisions;

 

   

Frequency of violations;

 

   

Monetary value of the violation in question; and

 

   

Level of influence of the violator.

 

B.

Penalty Factors

In assessing the appropriate penalties, the Committee will consider the foregoing in addition to any other factors they deem applicable, such as:

 

   

Extent of harm to client interests;

 

   

Extent of unjust enrichment;

 

   

Tenure and prior record of the violator;

 

   

The degree to which there is a personal benefit from unique knowledge obtained through employment with ACI;

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

14


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

   

The level of accurate, honest and timely cooperation from the covered person; and

 

   

Any mitigating circumstances.

 

C.

The penalties which may be imposed include, but are not limited to:

 

  1.

Non-material violation

 

  a.

Warning (notice sent to manager) and/or

 

  b.

Attendance at a Code of Ethics training session and/or

 

  c.

Suspension of trading privileges.

 

  2.

Penalties for material or more frequent non-material violations will be based on the circumstances of the violation. These penalties could include, but are not limited to

 

  a.

Suspension of trading privileges and/or

 

  b.

Suspension or termination of employment.

In addition, you may be required to surrender to ACI any profit realized from any transaction(s) in violation of this Code of Ethics.

ACI’s Quarterly Report to Fund Directors/Trustees

ACI will prepare a quarterly report to the Board of Directors/Trustees of each Fund Client of any material violation of this Code of Ethics.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

15


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

APPENDIX 1: DEFINITIONS

 

1.

“Automatic Investment Plan”

“Automatic investment plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases, exchanges or redemptions are made automatically in or from investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation including dividend reinvestment plans.

 

2.

“Beneficial Ownership” or “Beneficially Owned”

See “Appendix 2: What is Beneficial Ownership?”

 

3.

“Code-Exempt Security”

A “code-exempt security” is a security in which you may invest without preclearing the transaction with ACI. The list of code-exempt securities appears in Appendix 3.

 

4.

“Federal Securities Law”

“Federal securities law” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted by the Commission or the Department of Treasury.

 

5.

“Fund Clients”

Fund clients includes each Fund Client listed on Schedule A.

 

6.

”Initial Public Offering”

“Initial public offering” means an offering of securities for which a registration statement has not previously been filed with the SEC and for which there is no active public market.

 

7.

“Investment Adviser”

“Investment adviser” includes each investment adviser listed on Schedule A

 

8.

“Member of Your Immediate Family”

A “member of your immediate family” means any of the following:

 

   

Your spouse or domestic partner;

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

16


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

   

Your minor children; or

 

   

A relative who shares your home.

For the purpose of determining whether any of the foregoing relationships exist, a legally adopted child of a person is considered a child of such person.

 

8.

”Private Placement”

“Private placement” means an offering of securities in which the issuer relies on an exemption from the registration provisions of the Federal Securities Laws, and usually involves a limited number of sophisticated investors and a restriction on resale of the securities.

 

9.

“Reportable Brokerage Accounts”

A “reportable brokerage account” includes any account in which securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of any person subject to this Code of Ethics.

 

10.

“Reportable Mutual Fund”

A “reportable mutual fund” includes any mutual fund issued by a Fund Client (as listed on Schedule A) and any subadvised funds (as listed on Schedule B).

 

11.

”Security”

A “security” includes a large number of investment vehicles. However, for purposes of this Code of Ethics, “security”(or “securities”) includes any of the following:

 

   

Note;

 

   

Stock, (including stock acquired in private placements and restricted stock in nonpublic companies received through an employee stock ownership program);

 

   

Treasury stock;

 

   

Bond;

 

   

Debenture;

 

   

Derivative security;

 

   

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) or similar securities;

 

   

Unit Investment Trusts (UIT);

 

   

Shares of open-end mutual funds;

 

   

Shares of closed-end mutual funds;

 

   

Evidence of indebtedness;

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

17


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

   

Certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement;

 

   

Collateral-trust certificate;

 

   

Preorganization certificate or subscription;

 

   

Transferable share;

 

   

Investment contract;

 

   

Voting-trust certificate;

 

   

Certificate of deposit for a security;

 

   

Interests in private investment companies, hedge funds, or other unregistered collective investment vehicles;

 

   

Fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights;

 

   

Any put, call, straddle, option, future, or privilege on any security or other financial instrument (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), including stock options received from an employer or through a retirement plan;

 

   

Any put, call, straddle, option, future, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency;

 

   

In general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security;” or

 

   

Any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, future on or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

 

12.

“Subadvised Fund”

A “subadvised fund” means any mutual fund or portfolio listed on Schedule B.

 

13.

“Supervised Person”

A “supervised person” means any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of an investment adviser, or other person who provides investment advice on behalf of an investment adviser and is subject to the supervision and control of the investment adviser.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

18


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

APPENDIX 2: WHAT IS “BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP”?

A “beneficial owner” of a security is any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, has or shares in the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a purchase or sale of the security.

 

1.

Are securities held by immediate family members or domestic partners “beneficially owned” by me?

Yes. As a general rule, you are regarded as the beneficial owner of securities held in the name of

 

   

A member of your immediate family OR

 

   

Any other person IF you obtain from such securities benefits substantially similar to those of ownership. For example, if you receive or benefit from some of the income from the securities held by your spouse, or domestic partner, you are the beneficial owner; OR

 

   

You hold an option or other contractual rights to obtain title to the securities now or in the future.

 

2.

Must I report accounts for which I am listed as a joint owner or have power of attorney?

Yes. As a general rule, you are regarded as an owner of any accounts for which you are listed as a joint owner or have power of attorney.

 

3.

Am I deemed to beneficially own securities in accounts owned by a relative for whom I am listed as beneficiary upon death?

Probably not. Unless you have power of attorney to transact in such accounts or are listed as a joint owner, you likely do not beneficially own the account or securities contained in the account until ownership has been passed to you.

 

4.

Are securities held by a company I own an interest in also “beneficially owned” by me?

Probably not. Owning the securities of a company does not mean you “beneficially own” the securities that the company itself owns. However, you will be deemed to “beneficially own” the securities owned by the company if:

 

   

You directly or beneficially own a controlling interest in or otherwise control the company; OR

 

   

The company is merely a medium through which you, members of your immediate family, or others in a small group invest or trade in securities and the company has no other substantial business.

 

5.

Are securities held in trust “beneficially owned” by me?

Maybe. You are deemed to “beneficially own” securities held in trust if you or a member of your immediate family are:

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

19


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

   

A trustee; or

 

   

Have a vested interest in the income or corpus of the trust; or

 

   

A settlor or grantor of the trust and have the power to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all the beneficiaries.

A blind trust exemption from the preclearance and reporting requirements of the Code may be requested if you or members or your immediate family do not have authority to advise or direct securities transactions of the trust.

 

6.

Are securities in pension or retirement plans “beneficially owned” by me?

Maybe. Beneficial ownership does not include indirect interest by any person in portfolio securities held by a pension or retirement plan of a company whose employees generally are the beneficiaries of the plan.

However, your participation in a pension or retirement plan is considered beneficial ownership of the portfolio securities if you can withdraw and trade the securities without withdrawing from the plan or you can direct the trading of the securities within the plan (IRAs, 401(k)s, etc.).

 

7.

Examples of Beneficial Ownership

 

  a.

Securities Held by Family Members or Domestic Partners

Example 1: Tom and Mary are married. Although Mary has an independent source of income from a family inheritance and segregates her funds from those of her husband, Mary contributes to the maintenance of the family home. Tom and Mary have engaged in joint estate planning and have the same financial adviser. Since Tom and Mary’s resources are clearly significantly directed towards their common property, they shall be deemed to be the beneficial owners of each other’s securities.

Example 2: Mike’s adult son David lives in Mike’s home. David is self-supporting and contributes to household expenses. Mike is a beneficial owner of David’s securities.

Example 3: Joe’s mother Margaret lives alone and is financially independent. Joe has power of attorney over his mother’s estate, pays all her bills and manages her investment affairs. Joe borrows freely from Margaret without being required to pay back funds with interest, if at all. Joe takes out personal loans from Margaret’s bank in Margaret’s name, the interest from such loans being paid from Margaret’s account. Joe is a beneficial owner of Margaret’s estate.

Example 4: Bob and Nancy are in a relationship. The house they share is still in Nancy’s name only. They have separate checking accounts with an informal understanding that both individuals contribute to the mortgage payments and other common expenses. Nancy is the beneficial owner of Bob’s securities.

 

  b.

Securities Held by a Company

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

20


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Example 5: ABC Company is a holding company with five shareholders owning equal shares in the company. Although ABC Company has no business of its own, it has several wholly-owned subsidiaries that invest in securities. Stan is a shareholder of ABC Company. Stan has a beneficial interest in the securities owned by ABC Company’s subsidiaries.

Example 6: XYZ Company is a large manufacturing company with many shareholders. Stan is a shareholder of XYZ Company. As a part of its cash management function, XYZ Company invests in securities. Neither Stan nor any members of his immediate family are employed by XYZ Company. Stan does not beneficially own the securities held by XYZ Company.

 

  c.

Securities Held in Trust

Example 7: John is trustee of a trust created for his two minor children. When both of John’s children reach 21, each shall receive an equal share of the corpus of the trust. John is a beneficial owner of any securities owned by the trust.

Example 8: Jane placed securities held by her in a trust for the benefit of her church. Jane can revoke the trust during her lifetime. Jane is a beneficial owner of any securities owned by the trust.

Example 9: Jim is trustee of an irrevocable trust for his 21-year-old daughter (who does not share his home). The daughter is entitled to the income of the trust until she is 25 years old, and is then entitled to the corpus. If the daughter dies before reaching 25, Jim is entitled to the corpus. Jim is a beneficial owner of any securities owned by the trust.

Example 10: Joan’s father (who does not share her home) placed securities in an irrevocable trust for Joan’s minor children. Neither Joan nor any member of her immediate family is the trustee of the trust. Joan is a beneficial owner of the securities owned by the trust. She may, however, be eligible for the blind trust exemption to the preclearance and reporting of the trust securities.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

21


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

APPENDIX 3: CODE-EXEMPT SECURITIES

Because they do not pose a likelihood for abuse, code-exempt securities are exempt from the Code’s preclearance requirements. However, confirmations of transactions in reportable brokerage accounts are required in all cases and some code-exempt securities must also be disclosed on your Quarterly Transactions, Initial, and Annual Holdings Reports.

 

1.

Code-Exempt Securities Not Subject to Disclosure on your Quarterly Transactions, Initial and Annual Holdings Reports:

 

   

Open-end mutual funds that are not considered a reportable mutual fund;

 

   

Reportable mutual funds (Access Persons only);

 

   

Reportable mutual fund shares purchased through an automatic investment plan (including reinvested dividends);

 

   

Money market mutual funds;

 

   

Bank Certificates of Deposit;

 

   

U.S. government Treasury and Government National Mortgage Association securities;

 

   

Commercial paper;

 

   

Bankers acceptances;

 

   

High quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements. A “high quality short-term debt instrument” means any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized rating organization.

 

2.

Code-Exempt Securities Subject to Disclosure on your Quarterly Transactions, Initial and Annual Holdings Reports:

 

   

Reportable mutual fund shares purchased other than through an automatic investment plan (Portfolio and Investment Persons only)

 

   

Exchange Traded Products, Closed-End Funds and Unit Investment Trusts

 

   

Securities which are acquired through an employer-sponsored automatic payroll deduction plan (only the acquisition of the security is exempt, NOT the sale)

 

   

Securities other than open-end mutual funds purchased through dividend reinvestment programs (only the re-investment of dividends in the security is exempt, NOT the sale or other purchases)

 

   

Futures contracts on the following:

   

Standard & Poor’s 500 or 100 Index, NASDAQ 100 Index, and DOW 30 Industrials futures contracts only. Futures contracts for other financial instruments are not Code-exempt.

 

   

Commodity futures contracts for agricultural products (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc.) only. Futures contracts on precious metals or energy resources are not Code-exempt.

We may modify this list of securities at any time, please send an e-mail to “ LG-Personal Security Trades ” to request the most current list.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

22


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

APPENDIX 4: HOW THE PRECLEARANCE PROCESS WORKS

 

LOGO

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

23


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

After your request is entered into our preclearance system, it is then subjected to the following tests.

Step 1: Restricted Security List

 

   

Is the security on the Restricted Security list?

If “YES”, the system will send a message to you DENYING the personal trade request.

If “NO”, then your request is subject to Step 2.

Step 2: De Minimis Transaction Test

 

   

Is the security issuer’s market capitalization greater than $10 billion?

 

   

Will your proposed transaction, together with your other preclearance requests in the security for the current calendar quarter, be less than $25,000?

If the answer to either of these questions is “NO”, then your request is subject to Step 3.

Step 3: Client Trades Test

 

   

Have there been any transactions in the past 24 hours or is there an open order for that security for any Client?

If “YES”, the system will send a message to you DENYING the personal trade request.

If “NO”, then your request is subject to Step 4.

Step 4: Follow List Test

 

   

Does any account or Fund own the security?

 

   

Does the security appear on the computerized list of stocks ACI is considering to purchase for a Client?

If the answer to BOTH of these questions is “NO”, the system will send a message to you APPROVING your proposed transaction.

If the answer to EITHER of these questions is “YES”, then your request is subject to Step 5.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

24


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Step 5: Present Intentions Test

A message is sent to portfolio teams that own or are following the security described in your preclearance request. The portfolio teams will be asked if they intend to buy or sell the security within the next three (3) business days.

If ALL of the portfolio management teams respond “NO”, your request will be APPROVED.

If ANY of the portfolio management teams respond “YES” , your request will be DENIED.

If ANY of the portfolio teams do not respond, your request will be DENIED.

The preclearance process can be changed at any time to ensure that the goals of this Code of Ethics are met.

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

25


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

SCHEDULE A: BOARD APPROVAL DATES

This Code of Ethics was most recently approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the following Companies as of the dates indicated:

 

Investment Adviser    Most Recent Approval Date
American Century Investment Management, Inc.    January 1, 2018

 

Principal Underwriter    Most Recent Approval Date
American Century Investment Services, Inc.    January 1, 2018

 

Fund Clients    Most Recent Approval Date
American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc.    December 1, 2017
American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds    December 14, 2017
American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc.    December 1, 2017
American Century Government Income Trust    December 14, 2017
American Century Growth Funds, Inc.    December 1, 2017
American Century International Bond Funds    December 14, 2017
American Century Investment Trust    December 14, 2017
American Century Municipal Trust    December 14, 2017
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.    December 1, 2017
American Century Quantitative Equity Funds, Inc.    December 14, 2017
American Century Strategic Asset Allocations, Inc.    December 1, 2017
American Century Target Maturities Trust    December 14, 2017
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.    December 1, 2017
American Century Variable Portfolios II, Inc.    December 14, 2017
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.    December 1, 2017
American Century ETF Trust    December 20, 2017

 

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

26


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

SCHEDULE B: SUBADVISED FUNDS

This Code of Ethics applies to the following funds which are subadvised by an investment adviser. This list of affiliated funds will be updated on a regular basis.

 

CIBC Balanced Fund
CIBC Global Equity Growth Pool
CIBC Global Monthly Income Fund
CIBC International Equity Fund
CIBC International Small Companies Fund
CIBC Monthly Income Fund
CIBC U.S. Equity Fund
CIBC U.S. Equity Value Pool
Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II: CTIVP-American Century Diversified Bond Fund
EQ Advisors Trust: EQ/American Century Mid Cap Value Portfolio
GuideStone Funds: Defensive Market Strategies Fund
Imperial International Equity Pool
Imperial Overseas Equity Pool
Imperial U.S. Equity Pool
Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Program
MassMutual Select Funds: MassMutual Select Mid-Cap Value Fund
Mercer Funds: Mercer Non-U.S. Core Equity Fund
Mercer Global Investments Canada Limited: Mercer International Equity Fund
MML Series Investment Fund: MML Mid Cap Value Fund
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust: American Century NVIT Multi Cap Value Fund
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust: NVIT Multi-Manager Mid Cap Value Fund
Nomura – ACI Advanced Medical Impact Investment Mother Fund
Nomura – ACI Global REIT Mother Fund Growth Fund
Nomura Institutional Fund Select – American Century Global
Nomura U.S. Municipal General Obligation Bond Mother Fund
Nomura U.S. Value Strategy Mother Fund
Nomura Currency Fund – U.S. Growth Equity Fund
Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.: Inflation Protection Portfolio
Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.: Large Company Value Portfolio
Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.: Mid Cap Value Portfolio
Penn Series Funds, Inc.: Mid Core Value Fund

 

Schedule B updated: December 13, 2018

Schedule C updated: October 1, 2018

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

27


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Renaissance Canadian Balanced Fund
Renaissance Canadian Monthly Income Fund
Renaissance Global Focus Fund
Renaissance International Equity Private Pool
Renaissance Private Pools – Renaissance Global Equity Private Pool
Renaissance U.S. Equity Growth Fund
Renaissance U.S. Equity Income Fund
Schwab Capital Trust: Laudus International MarketMasters Fund
Seasons Series Trust: SA Multi-Managed Large Cap Value Portfolio
VALIC Company I: Growth Fund
Voya Partners, Inc.: VY American Century Small-Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

Schedule B updated: December 13, 2018

Schedule C updated: October 1, 2018

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

28


Code of Ethics    LOGO

 

LOGO

 

SCHEDULE C: APPROVED ELECTRONIC BROKERS

The following brokers have entered into an agreement with ACI to provide trade confirmations electronically. Employees are prohibited from holding accounts at firms that do not provide electronic trade confirmations unless an account exemption has been given. Please send a message LG-personal_security_trades@americancentury.com to request an account exemption.

American Century Brokerage

American Century Personal Financial Solutions (held at Pershing)

Ameriprise

Charles Schwab

Edward Jones

ETRADE

Fidelity

Interactive Broker

JP Morgan Private Bank

Merrill Lynch

Morgan Stanley

Northern Trust

Northwestern Mutual

Raymond James

RBC

TD Ameritrade

UBS

Vanguard

Wells Fargo

 

Schedule B updated: December 13, 2018

Schedule C updated: October 1, 2018

Policy updated: December 13, 2018

 

29

Global Personal Trading Policy

November 23, 2018

 

LOGO

Global Personal Trading Policy

Effective Date: November 23, 2018

 

1. Introduction

This policy governs the personal trading and investments of all employees and contingent workers (collectively, “employees”) of BlackRock, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“BlackRock”) globally and, subject to applicable law, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children. It should be read in conjunction with BlackRock’s other compliance policies, including its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics , Global Insider Trading Policy and Global Employee Private Investment Policy .

As an employee, you must place the interests of our clients first and avoid transactions, activities and relationships that might interfere or appear to interfere with making decisions in the best interests of clients of BlackRock. For example, you may not induce clients to purchase securities that you own to increase the value of that security. In addition, you must consider, when making a personal investment, whether that transaction may also be appropriate for a client.

Please refer to the Personal Trading Summary in Annex 2 for a reference guide to this policy. Japan employees should refer to Annex 3 for additional requirements. This policy applies generally to employees and contingent workers1, with the exception of those contingent workers subject to a contractual arrangement with BlackRock that addresses personal trading, insider trading, and/or similar potential conflicts of interest. Any exceptions to this policy must be pre-approved by Legal & Compliance.

2. Account Disclosure

2.1. Account Disclosure Required:

You must disclose brokerage or other investment accounts, including private investments, trusts or investment clubs, in which you have direct or indirect influence or control (such as joint ownership, trading authorization, or the authority to exercise investment discretion) or a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest by entering them into the Personal Trading Assistant (“PTA”) . 2

Subject to applicable law, this includes accounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children. 3 Employees in Canada and Japan should check with their local Legal & Compliance team for how this requirement applies to them.

2.2. Account Disclosure Not Required:

You do not need to disclose accounts that can hold only the following types of investments:

 

   

Open-end Mutual Funds (except for BlackRock Open-end Mutual Funds domiciled in the US, which must be disclosed in PTA), Open-End Investment Companies, Unit Trusts, Unit Investment Trusts, SICAVs;

 

1  

For the purposes of this policy, contingent workers are, generally, temporary workers contracted through a third party to perform a short term, defined time period, or specific project assignment.

2  

Note that employees who are FINRA registered representatives are also required to notify the broker or financial

  institution maintaining their account that they are employed with BlackRock. Please see the Broker Dealer Written Supervisory Procedures for additional detail.
3  

Note that contingent workers are not required to disclose the accounts of spouses or dependent children unless the account is joint or otherwise in the name of the contingent worker as a custodian or trustee.

 

LOGO    Limited    Page 1 of 7


Global Personal Trading Policy

November 23, 2018

 

   

Pension arrangements where you do not have investment discretion and where you are not permitted to invest directly in securities (note that this means that transactions in private self- invested pension plans must be pre-cleared);

 

   

Direct obligations of national government issuers;

 

   

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper;

 

   

Money market funds, cash, or cash equivalents;

 

   

Donation, reward, and debt based crowdfunding initiatives (however, note that equity and investment based crowdfunding must be pre-cleared);

 

   

Venture Capital Trusts/Enterprise Investment Schemes (EMEA); and/or

 

   

Bank Deposit Accounts.

2.3. Initial Disclosure Requirements for New Employees

 

   

Initial Holdings Certification : Within ten days of joining BlackRock, you must provide your securities and futures holdings information, as well as account information for every account required to be disclosed in accordance with Section 2.1. You are required to complete this certification even if you have no accounts or holdings to report.

 

   

Current Information : The information you provide must be current as of 45 days prior to your commencing employment with BlackRock.

3. Approved Broker Requirements for all Accounts

As a general rule, all employees are required to conduct their personal trading through a broker listed on the Global Approved Broker List (an “Approved Broker”).4 Approved Brokers generally provide an electronic feed of employee personal trading activity directly to BlackRock. Brokers that do not provide electronic feeds pose risks to BlackRock and, for this reason, any exception to this requirement to maintain accounts at an Approved Broker must be approved by both a member of the Global Executive Committee and Legal & Compliance.5

3.1. Disclosing your Account Information : Except as noted in Section 2.2, all accounts must be disclosed in PTA .

 

   

Any employee who maintains an account with a broker that does not submit reportable transactions and holdings information to BlackRock via an electronic feed is required to provide such information to BlackRock as follows:

 

   

Trade confirmations must be submitted to BlackRock within five (5) days of trade execution; and

 

4  

Note that contingent workers are not required to move their accounts to an Approved Broker.

5  

Note that the Global Approved Broker List includes a limited number of brokers that do not provide electronic feeds, for example, in jurisdictions where electronic feeds generally are not available. Any employee who maintains an account with a broker that does not provide BlackRock with an electronic feed, whether an Approved Broker or not, is responsible for the information delivery requirements in Section 3.1.

 

LOGO    Limited    Page 2 of 7


Global Personal Trading Policy

November 23, 2018

 

   

Quarterly statements must be submitted to BlackRock within thirty (30) days of quarter end.

 

   

It is the employee’s obligation to report the information to BlackRock – in instances where the employee arranges for the broker to submit information directly to BlackRock, the employee remains responsible to confirm that documents are submitted and that the information provided is accurate.

 

   

If you transact directly with the issuer in a direct stock purchase plan or Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), you must disclose the account information and the name of the transfer agent or bank that executes such transactions to the extent available.

3.2. BlackRock Open-end Funds Domiciled in the US : Shares of BlackRock Open-end Funds domiciled in the US must be held directly through the Fund, BNY Mellon, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or UBS. Upon commencing employment, you must transfer any existing holdings of shares or units of BlackRock Funds into an account at one of these named brokers.

4. Transaction Pre-Clearance Requirement

4.1. You must submit a pre-clearance request in PTA and receive an approval before undertaking any personal investment transactions permitted under this policy, including purchases, sales, options exercises, and gifts.

4.2. Pre-clearance approvals, whether for market orders6 or limit orders7, are valid only on the day the approval is received. Your order must be executed by the time the market on which the security is trading closes.

5. Transactions Not Subject to Pre-Clearance

You are not required to obtain pre-clearance approval to transact in the following:

 

   

Open-end Mutual Funds, including Labour-Sponsored Funds and shares or units of BlackRock Funds; Open-End Investment Companies, Unit Trusts, Unit Investment Trusts, SICAVs;

 

   

NOTE : Taiwan SITE BlackRock funds must be pre-cleared.

 

   

Purchases of common stock under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (note, however, that sales must be pre-cleared);

 

   

Direct obligations of national government issuers;

 

   

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper;

 

   

Foreign exchange;

 

   

529 Plans, Direct Stock Purchase Plans, and any securities purchased pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan;

 

   

Securities issued by an exercise of rights to the holders of a class of securities;

 

   

Stock dividend, stock split, or other similar corporate distribution;

 

6  

Buy or sell transactions placed at current market price.

7  

Buy or sell transactions placed at a pre-determined price (detailed within the pre-clearance request).

 

LOGO    Limited    Page 3 of 7


Global Personal Trading Policy

November 23, 2018

 

   

Conversion of employee stock options (note, however, that sales must be pre-cleared);

 

   

Permissible Futures Transactions; and/or

 

   

Managed Accounts (as defined below).

6. Managed Accounts

6.1. You are not required to obtain pre-clearance approval with respect to transactions in a Managed Account provided you obtain written confirmation from the manager, investment adviser, or trustee managing your account that the account is managed on a discretionary basis and/or that you (or, if applicable, your spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child) do not exercise investment discretion or otherwise have direct or indirect influence or control over investment decisions. The manager’s written confirmation must be in a form acceptable to Legal & Compliance.

6.2. Investment Restrictions : The following investments are not permitted in Managed Accounts. It is your responsibility to communicate these investment restrictions to the manager, investment adviser, trustee, or other fiduciary managing your account.

 

   

Investments in BlackRock, Inc. (BLK);

 

   

BlackRock Closed-end Funds domiciled in the US; and

 

   

BlackRock Open-end Funds domiciled in the US (unless held in a managed account at Merrill Lynch, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, UBS, or directly through the transfer agent, BNY Mellon).

6.3. Permitted Investments : All other securities, including BlackRock iShares ETFs and options, and futures are permitted in Managed Accounts.

7. Prohibited Investments

You are prohibited from transacting in the following:

 

   

Initial Public Offerings except certain offerings directed or sponsored by BlackRock (as may be permitted by Legal & Compliance);

 

   

Repurchase Agreements;

 

   

Spread betting on financial markets and instruments;

 

   

Contracts For Difference (“CFD”) (only prohibited in EMEA and Japan);

 

   

Options other than Permissible Options Transactions (as defined in Section 8.1);

 

   

Futures other than Permissible Futures Transactions (as defined in Section 8.2); and/or

 

   

Limited offerings 8 (e.g., private offerings) unless permitted by Legal & Compliance in accordance with the Global Employee Private Investment Policy .

 

8  

Limited offerings are private offerings that are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2), Section 4(a)(5), Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506.

 

LOGO    Limited    Page 4 of 7


Global Personal Trading Policy

November 23, 2018

 

8. Permissible Options and Futures Transactions

8.1. Options . Subject to pre-clearance, you are permitted to engage in the following listed, exchange-traded options transactions:

 

   

Options on ETFs and Indices;

 

   

Covered Calls – Selling call options against existing, long stock positions of companies included in the S&P 200, FTSE 100, S&P/TSX 60, or ASX 100 (and transactions to close out these positions); and/or

 

   

Protective Puts – Buying a put on existing, long stock positions of companies included in the S&P 200, FTSE 100, S&P/TSX 60, or ASX 100 (and transactions to close out these positions).

8.2. Futures . You are permitted to trade in the following futures:

 

   

Currency futures;

 

   

Futures on direct obligations of national government issuers;

 

   

Physical commodity futures; and/or

 

   

Futures on Indices.

9. Blackout Periods – Trading Against Clients

9.1. Specific Knowledge Blackout Period: You may not trade in a security or futures contract at a time when you know of another’s intention to trade that same security or futures contract on behalf of a client.

9.2. Portfolio Employee Blackout Periods:

 

   

7 Day Blackout Period: Portfolio Employees may not trade in a security or futures contract within 7 calendar days before or after the trade date of a transaction in that security or futures contract with respect to a client/fund account over which the Portfolio Employee’s team has authority.

 

   

15 Day Blackout Period: Portfolio Employees may not trade in a security or futures contract that the Portfolio Employee is considering, or has considered and rejected for purchase or sale, for a client within the 15 calendar days preceding the proposed trade unless pre-approval is obtained by Legal & Compliance in consultation with the employee’s supervisor.

 

   

Portfolio Employee Definition: For purposes of this section, a Portfolio Employee is any employee who has the authority to make investment decisions or direct trades on behalf of a client account/fund or any other employee who provides information or advice to such employee, helps execute such employee’s decisions, or directly supervises such employee, each with respect to a client account/fund.

9.3 Blackout Period Exemptions

Blackout period restrictions do not apply to the following transactions:

 

   

Transactions not subject to pre-clearance as identified in Section 5; and/or

 

LOGO    Limited    Page 5 of 7


Global Personal Trading Policy

November 23, 2018

 

   

Securities of a company included in the S&P 200, FTSE 100, S&P/TSX 60 or ASX 100.

10. Ban on Short-Term Trading Profits

You may not profit from the purchase and sale, or the sale and purchase, of the same security within a 60 calendar day period. This restriction does not apply to the following transactions at the discretion of Legal & Compliance:

 

   

Transactions not subject to pre-clearance as identified in Section 5;

 

   

Securities of a company included in the S&P 200, FTSE 100, S&P/TSX 60, or ASX 100;

 

   

Permissible options on securities of a company included in the S&P 200, FTSE 100, S&P/TSX 60, or ASX 100;

 

   

ETFs listed on Annex 1 (excludes Japan employees) ;

 

   

Options on ETFs listed on Annex 1 (excludes Japan employees) ;

 

   

Options on Indices consisting of 100 or more components; and/or

 

   

Transactions in BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) during open window periods and with prior pre-clearance approval. (Note, day trading is not permitted in BLK).

11. Private Investment Pre-Approval Process

11.1. Private Investment Questionnaire : Private investments (including hedge funds, private equity funds, or private placements of securities) must be pre-approved by Legal & Compliance. To obtain approval, you must complete and submit a Private Investment Questionnaire to the alias on the questionnaire. You may make the private investment only after obtaining prior written approval from Legal & Compliance. Please consult the Global Employee Private Investment Policy for additional details.

12. Trading in BlackRock, Inc. (BLK)

12.1. Trading Window: You may only transfer, gift, or trade (purchase, sell, or exercise employee stock options on) BLK during open trading window periods. You will be notified of these window periods by an email notification sent by Legal & Compliance to all employees announcing the opening and closing date of the trading window.

 

   

Pre-Clearance of BLK is required: Even during open trading windows, you are required to pre- clear all of your transactions in BlackRock, Inc. (BLK). This includes purchases, sales, option exercises and gifts.

 

   

Pre-Clearance and BlackRock’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) : You are required to pre-clear sales of BlackRock common stock from BlackRock’s ESPP (purchases in the ESPP do not require pre-clearance).

12.2. Restrictions on Trading in BlackRock, Inc. (BLK): You may not :

 

   

Trade in options or warrants on BLK;

 

   

Engage in any day trading (buying and selling the same security during one calendar day);

 

LOGO    Limited    Page 6 of 7


Global Personal Trading Policy

November 23, 2018

 

   

Engage in any short selling of BLK; and/or

 

   

Purchase any single-stock futures contracts on BLK.

13. Insider Trading

You must comply with BlackRock’s Global Insider Trading Policy at all times, including when conducting your personal trading. In addition, you must notify Legal & Compliance immediately if you receive or expect to receive material non-public information. Legal & Compliance will determine the restrictions, if any, that will apply to your communications and business activities while in possession of that information.

14. Personal Trading Violations

Employee personal trading is subject to monitoring by BlackRock. BlackRock will determine on a case by case basis what remedial action should be taken in response to any violation. This may include requiring the employee to void or reverse a trade, the cost of which may be borne by the employee or owner of the account, or limiting an employee’s personal trading for some period of time. Violations of this policy, including but not limited to violations relating to trading activity and the obligation to provide information to BlackRock, may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

15. Annual Certification

You must certify annually that the account information (including securities and futures holdings) you have reported to BlackRock is accurate.

 

LOGO    Limited    Page 7 of 7

CWAM Code of Ethics

Amended February 12, 2018

Amended April 6, 2017

Amended January 6, 2016

Amended December 15, 2014

Amended February 24, 2014

Amended September 12, 2013


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Overview

     3  

Part I - Statement of General Principles

     5  

A. Compliance with the Spirit of the Code

     6  

B. Federal Law Prohibits Fraudulent and Deceptive Acts

     6  

C. Compliance with other CWAM and Ameriprise Policies

     7  

D. Contacts for Questions and Reporting Violations of this Code

     7  

E.  Training and Education

     7  

Part II - Prohibited Transactions and Activities

     8  

A. Prohibited Transactions in Mutual Funds

     8  

1.  Short-Term Trading Prohibition

     8  

2.  Late Trading Prohibition

     8  

3.  Market Timing Prohibition

     8  

B. Prohibited Transactions in Reportable Securities

     9  

1.  Client Conflict

     9  

2.  Fifteen Calendar Day Blackout Period

     9  

3.  IPOs and Limited Offerings

     9  

4.  Short-Term Trading (30 Calendar Days)

     9  

5.  Selling Short and Transactions Involving Certain Derivatives

     10  

6.  Excessive Trading

     11  

C. Other Prohibitions

     11  

1.  Disclosure of Nonpublic Information

     11  

2.  Restriction on Service as Officer or Director by Covered Persons

     11  

3.  Participation in Investment Clubs

     11  

4.  Additional Restrictions for Specific Sub-Groups

     11  

D. Additional Trading Restrictions Applicable to Investment Persons

     11  

1.  IPOs and Limited Offerings

     11  

2.  Client Account Priority

     12  

3.  Trade Restrictions Pertaining to Investment Persons

     12  

4.  Gifts

     12  

E.  Exemptions

     13  

Part III - Pre-Clearance of Transactions

     14  

A. General Requirement to Pre-clear

     14  

B. Procedures

     14  

C. Exemptions

     14  

Part IV - Administration and Reporting Requirements

     16  

A. Annual Code Coverage Acknowledgment and Compliance Certification

     16  

B. Reporting Requirements for Covered Persons

     16  

C. Exceptions from the above Reporting Requirements

     17  

D. Code Administration

     17  

Part V - Penalties for Non-Compliance

     18  

Appendix A - Beneficial Ownership

     19  

Appendix B - Definitions

     21  

Appendix C - Other CWAM and Ameriprise Policies

     24  

 

Part I    2   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Overview

This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) covers a wide range of ethical conduct with a focus on obligations with respect to personal securities trading. You are obligated to comply with the terms of this Code, and thus you are a “ Covered Person ” for purposes of this Code, if you have been notified by the Compliance Department (“Compliance”) of Columbia Wanger Asset Management (“CWAM”) that this Code applies to you.

You will be notified by Compliance that this Code applies to you if you are a director, officer or employee of CWAM.

All Columbia Management Group and Threadneedle Asset Management employees and contractors as well as any other person deemed appropriate by Columbia Management Investment Advisers LLC (“CMIA”) Compliance are subject to the Ameriprise Global Asset Management Personal Account Dealing and Code of Ethics Policy (the “GAM Code”). The GAM Code, among other things, prohibits the misuse of confidential information and requires the pre-clearance of certain personal securities transactions. To accomplish effective administration of the prohibitions contained in the CWAM Code, CWAM has delegated to CMIA Compliance the responsibility of administering personal trade monitoring and reporting with respect to these individuals by establishing policies and procedures that require pre-clearance of applicable personal transactions against CWAM’s client transactions. Compliance with the GAM Code in all other respects shall be deemed sufficient compliance under the CWAM Code. CMIA Compliance will report any violations of the GAM Code relating to CWAM to CWAM’s Code of Ethics Committee and, where appropriate, will impose sanctions and penalties consistent with the CWAM Code of Ethics.

Certain Covered Persons, including but not limited to portfolio managers and research analysts, may also be designated by Compliance as “ Investment Persons ” and have heightened responsibility under this Code. Investment Persons are obligated to comply with all provisions of the Code applicable to Covered Persons and additional provisions applicable to Investment Persons. If you are registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) you may have additional obligations not identified in this Code due to such registration.

If you believe you should have been notified by Compliance that this Code applies to you and have not been so notified, you are obligated to contact Compliance.

Certain provisions of this Code apply to securities you beneficially own, or securities that you intend to beneficially acquire. Beneficial Ownership is defined in Appendix A and includes, among other things, securities held by members of your immediate household.

Part I of this Code sets forth certain general principles relating to the Code. Part II identifies certain prohibited transactions and activities. Part III identifies your obligation to pre-clear your personal security transactions. Part IV identifies your reporting obligations with respect to your personal securities transactions and holdings. Part V sets forth sanctions for failure to comply with this Code.

 

Part I    3   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

The CWAM Code of Ethics Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for monitoring compliance with this Code. Failure to comply with this Code may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

This Code is intended to satisfy the requirements of Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”). In addition, this Code is intended to satisfy certain FINRA requirements for registered personnel.

Terms used herein that are both capitalized and bolded have the meaning set forth in Appendix B.

 

Part I    4   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Part I - Statement of General Principles

Part I

Our relationship with our Clients is fiduciary in nature. A fiduciary has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty and good faith. A number of specific obligations flow from the fiduciary duty we owe to our Clients, including:

 

   

To act solely in the best interests of Clients and to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts, particularly where CWAM’s interest may conflict with those of its Clients;

 

   

To have a reasonable, independent basis for our investment advice;

 

   

To ensure that our investment advice is suitable to the Client’s investment objectives, needs and circumstances;

 

   

To refrain from effecting personal securities transactions inconsistent with our Clients’ interests;

 

   

To obtain best execution for our Clients’ securities transactions;

 

   

To refrain from favoring the interest of a particular Client over the interests of another Client;

 

   

To keep all information about Clients (including former Clients) confidential, including the Client’s identity, Client’s securities holdings information, and other non-public information; and

 

   

To exercise a high degree of care to ensure that adequate and accurate representations and other information is presented.

All Covered Persons are in a position of trust and that position of trust dictates that you act at all times with the utmost integrity, avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest (described below), and not otherwise abuse that position of trust. As a fiduciary, you are required to put the interests of our Clients before your personal interests. All Covered Persons have a fiduciary duty with respect to each and all of our Clients.

A conflict of interest is any situation that presents an incentive to act other than in the best interest of a Client. A conflict of interest may arise, for example, when a Covered Person engages in a transaction that potentially favors: (i) CWAM’s interests over a Client’s interest, (ii) an associate’s interest over a Client’s interest, or (iii) one Client’s interest over another Client’s interest.

CWAM has adopted various policies designed to prevent, or otherwise manage, conflicts of interest. To effectively manage conflicts of interest, all Covered Persons must seek to prevent conflicts of interest, including the appearance of a conflict. Covered Persons must be vigilant about circumstances that present a conflict of interest and immediately seek assistance from their manager or one of the other resources identified in Part I.D of this Code.

Independence in the investment decision-making process is paramount. All Covered Persons must avoid situations that might compromise or call into question their exercise of independent judgment in the interest of Clients. For example, Covered Persons should not take personal advantage of unusual or limited investment opportunities appropriate for Clients.

 

Part I    5   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

The general principles discussed in this section govern all conduct, regardless of whether or not such conduct is also covered by more specific standards and procedures set forth in other sections of this Code.

 

A.

Compliance with the Spirit of the Code

The Committee recognizes that sound, responsible personal securities investing is an appropriate activity when trading is not excessive in nature, when it is conducted consistent with the Code and when it does not cause any actual, potential or apparent conflict of interest. Such personal securities transactions should be made in amounts consistent with the normal investment practice of the person involved and with an investment, rather than trading, outlook. In making personal investment decisions with respect to any security, however, extreme care must be exercised by Covered Persons to ensure that the prohibitions of this Code are not violated. Further, personal investing by a Covered Person should be conducted in such a manner so as to eliminate the possibility that the Covered Person’s time and attention is being devoted to his or her personal investments at the expense of time and attention that should be devoted to management of a Client Accounts.

The Committee will not tolerate personal securities trading activity that is inconsistent with duties to our Clients or that injures the reputation and professional standing of our organization. Technical compliance with the specific requirements of this Code will not insulate you from sanction should a review of your personal securities trades indicate breach of your duty of loyalty to a Client or otherwise pose harm to our organization’s reputation.

The Committee has the authority to grant written waivers of the provisions of this Code. It is expected that this authority will be exercised only in rare instances.

 

B.

Federal Law Prohibits Fraudulent and Deceptive Acts

All Covered Persons are required to comply with all Federal Securities Laws , including but not limited to Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act , Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act and the anti-fraud provisions of both the Advisers Act and Investment Company Act.

The Advisers Act makes it unlawful for any investment adviser, directly or indirectly, to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective client, or to engage in any transaction or practice that operates as a fraud or deceit on such persons.

The Investment Company Act makes it unlawful for any director, trustee, officer or employee of an investment adviser of an investment company, as well as certain other persons, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of a security held or to be acquired by the investment company:

 

  1.

To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the fund;

 

  2.

To make to the fund any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to the fund a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

 

Part I    6   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

  3.

To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the fund; or

 

  4.

To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the fund.

 

C.

Compliance with other CWAM and Ameriprise Policies

Compliance with this Code is in addition to your obligation to comply with other CWAM and Ameriprise policies that may be applicable to you.

Covered Persons are subject to additional policies, including but not limited to those set forth in Appendix C.

 

D.

Contacts for Questions and Reporting Violations of this Code

Each Covered Person must promptly report any conduct that he or she reasonably believes constitutes or may constitute a violation of the Code. Covered Persons must promptly report all relevant facts and circumstances relating to such potential violation of the Code to the Chief Compliance Officer (“ CCO ”; currently, Joe LaPalm at 312-634-9829).You will not be retaliated against for reporting information in good faith in accordance with this policy.

In addition, if you have any questions relating to a personal securities transaction, you may call Compliance directly or send an email to “DG_227W-Compliance_Dept_Members” and if you have any questions relating to the conflict of interest provisions of this Code, you may contact Joe LaPalm at 312-634-9829.

 

E.

Training and Education

Training on this Code will occur periodically. All Covered Persons are required to complete all assigned training and read any applicable materials.

 

Part I    7   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Part II - Prohibited Transactions and Activities for All Covered Persons

Part II

Part II of the Code focuses on personal securities trading and identifies certain prohibited transactions and activities. In the event there is a stated exception to a prohibited transaction and you qualify for the exception, you are not relieved of any other obligation you may have under this Code, including any requirement to pre-clear (see Part III) and report (see Part IV) the transaction.

 

A.

Prohibited Transactions in Mutual Funds

 

1.

Short-Term Trading Prohibition.

No Covered Person may engage in the purchase and subsequent sale or exchange of the same class of shares of a Reportable Fund advised or sub-advised by CWAM within 30 calendar days of one another. Therefore, if a Covered Person purchases shares of a Reportable Fund advised or sub-advised by CWAM, he or she will not be permitted to sell or exchange any shares of that fund, including shares previously purchased, for at least 30 calendar days. Day 1 of the 30-day holding period is the day a Covered Person purchases shares of a Reportable Fund advised or sub-advised by CWAM. The Covered Person may sell or exchange the shares on Day 31. The CCO has the authority to grant exceptions to the requirements of this section; however, such exceptions will be granted in only rare cases of hardship or other unusual circumstances, or where shares were purchased as part of an Automatic Investment Plan.

 

2.

Late Trading Prohibition.

Late Trading of mutual funds, wherein an order for mutual fund shares is placed after the fund is closed for the day and the transaction is priced using the closing price for that day, is illegal. No Covered Person shall engage in any such Late Trading transaction in mutual fund shares. In addition to being illegal, Late Trading presents a conflict of interest and a violation of fiduciary duty.

 

3.

Market Timing Prohibition.

No Covered Person shall engage in mutual fund Market Timing activities. The Committee believes that the interests of a mutual fund’s long-term shareholders and the ability of a mutual fund to manage its investments may be adversely affected when fund shares are repeatedly bought, sold or exchanged by any individual or entity within short periods of time to take advantage of short-term differentials in the net asset values of such funds. This practice, known as Market Timing can occur in direct purchases and sales of mutual fund shares, through rapid reallocation of funds held in a 401(k) plan or similarly structured retirement plan or other accounts invested in mutual fund assets, or through the rapid reallocation of funds held in variable annuity and variable life policies invested in mutual fund assets. In addition to being prohibited by this Code, mutual fund Market Timing presents a conflict of interest and is a violation of fiduciary duty.

 

Part II    8   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

B.

Prohibited Transactions in Reportable Securities

 

1.

Client Conflict.

No Covered Person shall purchase any Reportable Security that is owned by a Client Account (excluding ETFs) .

 

2 .

Blackout Period.

If a security purchased by a Covered Person is later purchased by a Client Account, the Covered Person will be prohibited from purchasing additional shares. Further, no Covered Person shall sell such security within a period of seven calendar days of Client Account transactions. The blackout period commences on the day of Client Account trade(s), and a Covered Person may sell on Day 8. The spirit of this Code requires that no Covered Person intentionally delay trades on behalf of a Client Account so that personal trades avoid falling within the blackout period. In certain instances, the Code of Ethics Committee may determine that a trade should be deemed to have not caused a blackout violation. ETFs are exempt from the blackout period restriction.

 

3.

IPOs and Limited Offerings.

No Covered Person shall acquire Beneficial Ownership of securities in an IPO or Limited Offering except with the prior written approval of the CCO. Covered Persons registered with FINRA are prohibited from investing in IPOs. Investment Persons may invest in IPOs but are subject to the additional restrictions outlined in Part II.D.1, below. In approving such acquisition, the CCO must determine that the acquisition does not conflict with the Code or its underlying policies, that the investment opportunity could not instead be reserved for Clients, and that the opportunity has not been offered to the Covered Person because of the Covered Person’s relationship with Ameriprise, CWAM, or a Client. The CCO may approve acquisition under certain circumstances, such as:

 

   

An opportunity to acquire securities of an insurance company converting from a mutual ownership structure to a stockholder ownership structure, if the Covered Person’s ownership of an insurance policy issued by the IPO company or an affiliate of the IPO company conveys the investment opportunity;

 

   

An opportunity resulting from the Covered Person’s pre-existing ownership of an interest in the IPO company or status of an investor in the IPO company; or

 

   

An opportunity made available to the Covered Person’s spouse, in circumstances permitting the CCO reasonably to determine that the opportunity is being made available for reasons other than the Covered Person’s relationship with Ameriprise, CWAM, or its Clients (for example, because of the spouse’s employment).

 

4.

Short-Term Trading (30 Calendar Days) .

Covered Persons may not profit from any purchase and sale of the same class of Reportable Security within any period of 30 calendar days or less. Note, regarding this restriction, that:

 

  (a)

The 30 calendar day restriction period commences on the day of purchase of any Reportable Security. The Covered Person may sell the Reportable Security for a profit on Day 31, where Day 1 was the day of the purchase of the Reportable Security.

 

Part II    9   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

  (b)

The 30-day restriction applies on a “last in, first out basis.” As a result, a Covered Person (or Family/Household Member ) may not buy and sell the same class of Reportable Security within 30 days even though the specific shares or other securities involved may have been held longer than 30 days, when doing so will result in a profit to the Covered Person .

 

  (c)

Purchase and sale transactions in the same security within 30 days that result in a loss to the Covered Person (or Family/Household Member) are not restricted.

 

  (d)

The 30-day restriction does not apply to the exercise of options to purchase shares of BAC or Ameriprise stock, or stock of another company whose options have been awarded as part of a compensation program, and the immediate sale of the same or identical shares, including so-called “cashless exercise” transactions.

 

  (e)

Strategies involving corporate securities options with expirations of less than 30 days may result in violations of the short-term trading ban.

 

  (f)

Involuntary transactions that are the result of unforeseen corporate activity occurring within 30 days of purchase are not restricted.

 

  (g)

Exceptions to the short-term trading ban may be requested in writing, addressed to the CCO, in advance of a trade and will generally be granted only in rare cases of hardship, gifting of securities or other unusual circumstances where it is determined that no abuse is involved and the equities of the situation strongly support an exception to the ban. Circumstances that could provide the basis for an exception from short-term trading restriction might include, for example, among others:

 

   

the disclosure of a previously nonpublic, material corporate, economic or political event or activity that could cause a reasonable person in like circumstances to sell a security even if originally purchased as a long-term investment; or

 

   

the Covered Person’s economic circumstances materially change in such a manner that enforcement of the short-term trading ban would result in the Covered Person being subjected to an avoidable, inequitable economic hardship.

 

   

An irrevocable charitable gift of securities provided no abuse is intended.

 

   

Instances where the purchase was part of an Automatic Investment Plan.

 

5.

Selling Short and Transactions Involving Certain Derivatives

Shorting individual securities is prohibited. Shorting broad-based market securities (ETFs) is permitted.

Covered Persons are strongly discouraged from dealing in any form of derivative that could give rise to an open-ended, unlimited liability.

All Covered Persons must obtain pre-clearance prior to placing an options trade. Short-term trading at a profit is prohibited under the Code. Covered Persons may not trade options that will result in a gain if held less than 30 days. Covered Persons must also wait 30 days before closing the position at a profit. Covered Persons are responsible for calculating the 30 day holding period.

 

Part II    10   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

6.

Excessive Trading .

Compliance monitors patterns of personal trading activity and may require additional information from a Covered Person with respect to a specific trade or series of transactions. In addition, frequent trading activity is strongly discouraged. Although no set limit of trades during a period of time is expressly stated, Covered Persons should understand that they may come under scrutiny for frequent trading activity, which could result in corrective measures if the activity is deemed especially excessive.

 

C.

Other Prohibitions

 

 

Disclosure of Nonpublic Information.

Covered Persons are prohibited from disclosing to persons outside of CWAM any material nonpublic information about any Client, the securities investments made on behalf of a Client, information about contemplated securities transactions, or information regarding our trading strategies, except as required to effectuate securities transactions on behalf of a Client or for other legitimate business purposes. Disclosure of nonpublic information is a breach of fiduciary duty.

 

 

Restriction on Service as Officer or Director by Covered Persons.

Covered Persons are prohibited from serving as an officer or director of any publicly traded company, other than Ameriprise or its affiliates, absent prior authorization from Compliance based on a determination that the board service would not be inconsistent with the interests of any Client. A Covered Person serving as a director or officer of a private company may be required to resign, either immediately or at the end of the current term, if the company goes public during his or her term as director or officer.

 

 

Participation in Investment Clubs.

Covered Persons (including with respect to assets that are beneficially owned by the Covered Person) may participate in private investment clubs or other similar groups only upon advance written approval from Compliance, subject to such terms and conditions as Compliance may determine to impose. Investment Persons may not begin participation in private investment clubs or other similar groups.

 

 

Additional Restrictions for Specific Sub-Groups.

Specific sub-groups in the organization may be subject to additional restrictions, as determined by Compliance. Compliance shall keep separate applicable procedures and communicate accordingly to these groups.

 

D.

Additional Trading Restrictions Applicable to Investment Persons

 

1.

IPOs and Limited Offerings.

All Investment Persons are required to obtain written manager pre-approval for personal investments in IPOs and Limited Offerings. This means you are required to obtain approval from your immediate manager or their designee. After obtaining manager pre-approval, Investment Persons must obtain pre-approval from the CCO.

 

Part II    11   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Investment Persons who have been authorized to acquire securities in a Limited Offering are required to disclose that investment to their manager when the Investment Person plays a role in any Client’s subsequent consideration of an investment in the issuer. In such circumstances, the decision to purchase securities of the issuer for the Client should be made either by another employee or, at a minimum, should be subject to an independent review by investment personnel with no personal interest in the issuer.

 

2.

Client Account Priority

The Funds and Client Accounts under management shall be given priority when investment opportunities arise. Portfolio Managers and Analysts may not execute transactions for their personal accounts without first determining whether the transaction is appropriate for a Client Account.

Analysts at CWAM are assigned industry coverage areas. Portfolio Managers at CWAM are also assigned coverage areas, in addition to their overall responsibility for Funds and Client Accounts. All Portfolio Managers and Analysts must comply with the pre-clearance and reporting restrictions of this Code, and are, in addition, subject to the following restrictions. A security is “followed by CWAM” for purposes of this Section if it has been entered into CWAM’s Equity Research Data Base.

 

3.

Trade Restrictions Pertaining to Investment Persons

 

  (a)

Purchases

 

  i.

Investment Persons may not purchase any Reportable Security that is held in Client Accounts.

 

  ii.

Generally, Investment Persons may not purchase a security with a market cap at the time of purchase in the range of $200MM to $10B, as determined by Compliance. The CWAM Management Committee has the authority to grant exceptions to this rule under circumstances it deems appropriate as documented at the time of approval.

 

  (b)

Sales

Absent a showing of hardship or other extraordinary circumstances, an Investment Person who owns a security that is later purchased by Client Accounts may not sell that security within 7 days of a Client Account trade. This means an Investment Person must wait until calendar day 8 to trade the security in his or her personal account.

 

4.

Gifts

Notwithstanding the restrictions above, an Investment Person may make an irrevocable gift of securities to a charitable organization, provided any such gift is first approved by Compliance.

 

Part II    12   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

E.

Exemptions

The following transactions are exempt from the prohibitions contained in this Part II:

 

   

Transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan . Note this does not include transactions that override or otherwise depart from the pre-determined schedule or allocation features of the investment plan.

 

   

Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.

 

   

Transactions that are involuntary on the part of the Covered Person (e.g., stock splits and automatic conversions including redemptions, mergers and acquisitions).

 

   

Managed account transactions. Transactions effected in any account in which the Covered Person may have a beneficial interest, but no direct or indirect Influence or Control of investment or trading activity, such as a blind trust or third-party advised discretionary account. Accounts managed by another Covered Person do not qualify for this exemption.

 

   

Such other transactions as the Committee shall approve in their sole discretion, provided that Compliance shall find that such transactions are consistent with the Statement of General Principles of this Code and applicable law. The Committee shall maintain a record of the approval and will communicate to the Covered Person’s manager(s).

 

Part II    13   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Part III - Pre-Clearance of Transactions

Part III

 

A.

General Requirement to Pre-clear

Covered Persons must pre-clear all transactions, except as exempted below, in Reportable Securities in which they have, or intend to acquire, Beneficial Ownership. In addition, Covered Persons must pre-clear all redemptions or exchanges of Reportable Funds advised or sub-advised by CWAM.

 

B.

Procedures

In order to pre-clear a transaction, Covered Persons shall log into Financial Tracking, enter all required information, and shall not effect a trade until approval is granted by CWAM Compliance. Pre-clearance approvals are valid until 3:00 pm central time of the day the approval is granted. For example, if a pre-clearance approval is granted on Tuesday, the approval is valid until 3:00 pm central time Tuesday. In certain rare instances when a trade cannot be completed during the time allowed, CWAM Compliance may elect to issue an extended approval.

 

C.

Exemptions

The following transactions are exempt from the pre-clearance requirement:

 

   

Transactions in Reportable Funds not advised or sub-advised by CWAM.

 

   

Transactions in BAC and Ameriprise Retirement Plans (excluding the PCRA 401(k) option, as transactions in this account DO require pre-clearance).

 

   

Transactions in Company-Directed 401(k) Plans (provided they are not transactions of Reportable Securities or Sales of Reportable Funds advised or sub-advised by CWAM).

 

   

Transactions in municipal securities and foreign government debt obligations.

 

   

Opening a 529 Plan, or transactions in 529 Plans.

 

   

Transactions by Covered Persons on leave that do not have home access to CWAM’s data; provided, however, that transactions by Covered Persons on leave with home access are not exempt from the pre-clearance requirements.

 

   

Managed account transactions. Transactions effected in any account in which the Covered Person may have a beneficial interest, but no direct or indirect Influence or Control of investment or trading activity, such as a blind trust or third-party advised discretionary account. Accounts managed by another Covered Person do not qualify for this exemption.

 

   

Transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan. Note this does not include transactions that override or otherwise depart from the pre-determined schedule or allocation features of the investment plan. This will include individual transactions effected pursuant to a 10b-5-1 Plan implemented for corporate executives who qualify for such plans, however the initial plan must be submitted to Compliance for approval, and Compliance must be notified if any changes are made to the pre-determined investment scheme.

 

Part III    14   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

   

Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.

 

   

Transactions that are involuntary on the part of the Covered Person (e.g., stock splits, automatic conversions).

 

   

Ameriprise Financial Stock; however, other rules such as the blackout period and holdings periods still apply.

 

   

Such other transactions as the Committee shall approve in their sole discretion, provided that Compliance shall find that such transactions are consistent with the Statement of General Principles of this Code and applicable law. The Committee shall maintain a record of the approval and will communicate to the Covered Person’s manager(s).

 

Part III    15   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Part IV - Administration and Reporting Requirements

Part IV

 

A.

Annual Code Coverage Acknowledgment and Compliance Certification

All Covered Persons will annually furnish acknowledgment of coverage (including Family/Household Members) under, and certification of compliance with, this Code. Copies of this Code and any amendments to the Code are required to be provided to all Covered Persons. All Covered Persons are required to provide acknowledgment of their receipt of the Code and any amendments.

 

B.

Reporting Requirements for Covered Persons

You must report holdings of Reportable Securities and Reportable Funds owned by you and/or your Family/Household Members.

You must also report accounts in which you or any Family/Household Member have direct or indirect ownership interest that are capable of holding Reportable Securities or Reportable Funds, including accounts such as those with broker-dealers, banks, fund companies and insurance companies (“ Investment Accounts ”), as well as 529 Plans. Therefore, even if an Investment Account does not currently contain Reportable Securities or Reportable Funds, you are obligated to report the existence of such Investment Account if it has the capacity to hold such securities.

The information you report regarding your Investment Accounts and holdings of Reportable Securities and Reportable Funds must not be more than 45 days old. Reporting by all Covered Persons is required as follows:

 

   

By the 10 th calendar day after becoming a Covered Person, you must report such holdings, acknowledge that you have read and understand this Code, that you understand that it applies to you and to your Family/Household Members and that you understand that you are a Covered Person (and, if applicable, an Investment Person) under the Code.

 

   

By the 30 th calendar day following the end of the calendar quarter, all Covered Persons are required to provide Compliance with a report of their Investment Accounts (including Investment Accounts opened during the quarter) and all transactions, whether automatic or voluntary, in Reportable Securities and Reportable Funds during the quarter.

 

   

By the 30 th calendar day after the end of the calendar year, Covered Persons are required to provide Compliance with a detailed annual report of their holdings of any Reportable Securities and Reportable Funds.

 

   

Prior to opening any new Investment Account Covered Persons are required to obtain approval from Compliance and provide this approval to the broker.

Each Covered Person must ensure that every broker-dealer or investment services provider with whom he or she (or a Family/Household Member) maintains an Investment Account will provide duplicate periodic statements and trade confirmations to Compliance for all accounts holding or transacting trades in Reportable Securities or Reportable Funds, with the exception of 529 Plans, which must be reported but do not necessitate providing duplicate statements.

 

Part IV    16   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

C.

Exceptions from the above Reporting Requirements

The designation of any Covered Person on an official leave of absence will be reviewed by the CCO to determine whether the individual should still be considered a Covered Person. The CCO will consider factors such as whether the employee continues to have password access to electronic firm and client data and whether the employee continues to be in contact with other Covered Persons at the firm. If the CCO determines the individual is not a Covered Person, the individual will be exempt from the above reporting requirements while on leave. However, any Covered Person on an official leave of absence with such access will be responsible for the above reporting.

The following Investment Accounts do not need to be reported, and therefore transactions within these accounts also do not need to be reported:

 

   

BAC and Ameriprise Retirement Plans (excluding the PRCA 401(k) option, which DOES need to be reported)

 

   

Company-Directed 401(k) Plans (provided they are not capable of holding any Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities)

 

D.

Code Administration

The Committee has charged Compliance with the responsibility of day-to-day administration of this Code. Compliance will quarterly provide reports to the Committee that will include all material violations noted during the period. The quarterly report will include associate name, job title, manager name, description of the violation, and a record of any recommended sanction.

The CCO shall report any relevant issues to the respective Fund CCO and mutual fund board of trustees as required by Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act and such fund’s code of ethics.

 

Part IV    17   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Part V - Penalties for Non-Compliance

Part V

Upon discovering a violation of the Code, Compliance shall take whatever remedial steps it deems necessary and available to correct an actual or apparent conflict (e.g., trade reversal, etc.). Following those corrective efforts, the Committee may impose sanctions if, based upon all of the facts and circumstances considered, such action is deemed appropriate. The magnitude of these penalties varies with the severity of the violation, although repeat offenders will likely be subjected to harsher punishment. It is important to note that violations of the Code may occur without employee fault (e.g., despite pre-clearance). In those cases, punitive action may not be warranted, although remedial steps may still be necessary. Violations of the Code include, but are not limited to the following:

 

   

Execution of a personal securities transaction without pre-clearance;

 

   

Execution of a personal securities transaction after being denied approval;

 

   

Profiting from short-term trading of Reportable Securities (30 calendar days);

 

   

Trading Reportable Funds advised or sub-advised by CWAM in violation of the 30 day restriction;

 

   

Failure to disclose the existence of an Investment Account;

 

   

Failure to obtain approval of an Investment Account prior to its opening;

 

   

Failure to obtain prior approval of a purchase of an IPO or shares in a Limited Offering; and

 

   

Failure to timely complete and submit periodic certifications and acknowledgments.

The Committee will consider the specific facts and circumstances of any violations and will determine appropriate sanctions. Factors to be considered during any review would include but are not limited to:

 

   

Whether the act or omission was intentional or voluntary;

 

   

Whether mitigating or aggravating factors existed;

 

   

The person’s history or prior violations of the Code;

 

   

The person’s cooperation, acknowledgment of transgression and demonstrable remorse;

 

   

The person’s position within the firm (i.e., whether the employee is deemed to be a Covered Person or Investment Person);

 

   

Whether the person transacted in the security of an issuer in which his/her product area has invested or could invest;

 

   

Whether the person was aware of any information concerning an actual or contemplated investment in that same issuer for any Client account; and

 

   

Whether the price at which the personal securities transaction was effected was more advantageous than the price at which the Client transaction in question was effected.

The type of sanctions to be imposed include, but are not limited to, oral or written warnings, trade reversals, disgorgement of profits, monetary fines, suspension or termination of personal trading privileges and employment suspension or termination. Failure to adhere to the Code provisions and cooperate with Compliance could also affect a person’s performance review, potentially having an impact on compensation.

 

Part V    18   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Appendix A - Beneficial Ownership

You should carefully read this Appendix A to determine securities that are deemed to be beneficially owned by you for purposes of the Code. The definition of “Beneficial Ownership” for purposes of the Code is very broad and may include securities you would not intuitively consider to be owned by you. You should review this entire Appendix A and if you have any questions as to whether you beneficially own a security for purposes of the Code, contact the Compliance Department

For purposes of this Appendix A, the term “you” includes members of your immediate family sharing the same household with you. Your “immediate family” includes any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, significant other, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law (but does not include aunts and uncles, or nieces and nephews). The term “you” also includes any immediate family member not living in your household if the family member is economically dependent upon you.

Definitions

Beneficial Ownership . For purposes of the Code, you are deemed to have “Beneficial Ownership” of a security if you have: (i) a Pecuniary Interest in such security and Influence or Control over such security or (ii) Influence or Control over such security and such Influence or Control arises outside of your regular employment duties.

Pecuniary Interest . The term “Pecuniary Interest” means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the subject securities whether through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise. This standard looks beyond the record owner of securities to reach the substance of a particular arrangement. You not only have a Pecuniary Interest in securities held by you for your own benefit, but also securities held (regardless of whether or how they are registered) by others for your benefit, such as securities held for you by custodians, brokers, relatives, executors, administrators, or trustees. The term also includes any security owned by an entity directly or indirectly controlled by you.

Influence or Control . To have “Influence or Control” over a security, you must have an ability to prompt, induce or otherwise effect transactions in the security. Whether you have influence or control over a security is based upon the facts and circumstances of each case; however, the determining factor in each case will be whether you have an ability to prompt, induce or otherwise effect transactions in the security.

 

   19   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Examples of How the Definition of Beneficial Ownership is Applied

Set forth below are some examples of how the definition of Beneficial Ownership is applied in different contexts.

 

   

Family Holdings. You are deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by members of your immediate family sharing the same household with you. Your “immediate family” includes any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, significant other, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law (but does not include aunts and uncles, or nieces and nephews). You are deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by an immediate family member not living in your household if the family member is economically dependent upon you.

 

   

Partnership and Corporate Holdings. You are deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by an entity you directly or indirectly control. If you are a limited partner in a partnership, you will generally not be deemed to have Beneficially Ownership of securities held by such limited partnership, provided that you do not own a controlling voting interest in the partnership. If you own or otherwise control a corporation, limited liability company or other legal entity, you will be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of such entity’s securities.

 

   

Trusts. You are deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by a trust if you control the trust or if you have the ability to prompt, induce or otherwise effect transactions in securities held by the trust. For example, you would be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by a trust if you have the power to revoke the trust without the consent of another person, or if you have actual or de facto investment control over the trust. In a typical blind trust, you would not be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of the securities held by the trust.

 

   

Estates. You are typically not deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by executors or administrators in estates in which you are a legatee or beneficiary unless, under the facts and circumstances, you have the ability to prompt, induce or otherwise effect transactions in the securities held by the estate. You are typically deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by an estate if you act as the executor or administrator of such estate and, under the facts and circumstances, you have the ability to prompt, induce or otherwise effect transactions in the securities held by the estate.

 

   

Where You Have Given Investment Discretion to Another Party. You are typically not deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities managed by someone other than yourself where you have given such party sole investment discretion. For example, you are not deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held in an account at the Private Bank or BAI if the Private Bank or BAI exercises sole investment discretion with respect to such securities.

 

   

Where You Have Received Investment Discretion from Another Party Outside of Your Employment. You are typically deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held in an account or other vehicle if you manage such account or other vehicle outside of your employment, even if you do not have an economic interest in such securities. For example, you are deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held in a brokerage account if you have a power of attorney with respect to the account. Similarly, you are deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held in an Education Trust if you have an ability to prompt, induce or otherwise effect transactions in such securities, even if you do not have an economic interest in the asset of the trust.

 

   20   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Appendix B - Definitions

Terms used in this Code that are capitalized and bolded have a special meaning. To understand the Code, you need to understand the definitions of these terms below.

Ameriprise Retirement Plan ” means any retirement plan sponsored by Ameriprise for the benefit of its employees.

“Automatic Investment Plan ” means a plan or other program in which regular periodic purchases or withdrawals are made automatically in or from investment accounts in accordance with a pre-determined schedule and allocation. These may include payroll deduction plans, issuer dividend reinvestment programs, 401(k) automatic investment plans, or the annual vesting of units into shares in a Mutual Fund Incentive Program.

BAC ” means Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates.

Being Considered for Purchase or Sale ” – a security is being considered for purchase or sale when a recommendation to purchase or sell a security has been made and communicated or, with respect to the person making the recommendation, when such person decides to make the recommendation.

Beneficial Ownership ” has the meaning set forth in Appendix A, and refers to securities not only held by a Covered Person for his or her benefit, but also held by others for his or her benefit in an account over which the Covered Person has Influence or Control.

CCO ” means CWAM’s Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.

Client ” means any entity to which CWAM provides financial services.

Client Account ” means any investment management account or fund for which CWAM acts as investment advisor or sub-advisor.

Closed-end Fund ” refers to a registered investment company whose shares are publicly traded in a secondary market rather than directly with the fund.

“CMIA” means Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.

Company-Directed 401(k) Plan” means a 401(k) plan that offers a limited number of investment options consisting solely of mutual funds in which one directs their investments. A 401(k) plan whereby the participant may direct stock investments is not a Company-Directed 401(k) Plan for purposes of this Code.

Covered Person ” is a person to whom this Code applies, including but not limited to CWAM officers, employees, and support partners.

Family Holdings ” and “ Family/Household Member ” refer to immediate family, sharing the same household as a Covered Person, or a family member outside of the household who is economically dependent on the Covered Person.

 

   21   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Federal Securities Laws ” means the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a-aa), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a –mm), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745 (2002)), the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b), Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Pub. L. No. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338 (1999)), any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. 5311 –5314; 5316 – 5332) as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Department of Treasury.

Influence or Control ” has the meaning set forth in Appendix A, and refers to a person’s direct or indirect ability to affect the management of securities.

Investment Account ” means an account comprising all or a part of a person’s portfolio, held with a broker-dealer, bank, fund company, insurance company, or other entity capable of administering holdings of securities and funds on behalf of a client.

Investment Person ” refers to a Covered Person whose knowledge and influence on Client Accounts as a portfolio manager or research analyst necessitates the imposition of additional obligations and responsibilities under the Code.

IPO ” generally refers to a company’s first offer of shares to the public. Specifically, an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Late Trading ” is the illegal trading of mutual funds wherein an order is placed after the fund is closed for the day and the transaction is priced using the closing price for that day.

Limited Offering ” generally refers to an offering of securities that is not offered to the public and includes an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Sections 4(2) or 4(6) of, or Regulation D under, the Securities Act of 1933.

Managed Account ” refers to accounts in which you or a member of your Family/Household have beneficial ownership but have delegated full investment discretion to a third-party broker or investment manager.

Market Timing ” is the repeated buying, selling, or exchanging of fund shares by an individual or entity within short periods of time to take advantage of short-term differentials in the net asset values of such funds. This practice can occur in direct purchases and sales of fund shares, or through rapid reallocation of funds held in 401(k) plans or variable annuity or life policies.

Reportable Fund ” means shares of any open-end mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act, other than money market funds or other short-term bond funds, whose investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter is controlled by Ameriprise Financial. The following companies are deemed to be controlled by Ameriprise for purposes of this Code: RiverSource, Seligman, Threadneedle, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., Columbia Management Pte. Ltd., Columbia Wanger Asset Management LLC.

 

   22   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Reportable Security ” includes corporate securities, Closed-end Funds, options on securities, warrants, rights, exchange traded funds, foreign government debt obligations, and municipal securities, including 529 Plans. Reportable Securities therefore include anything that is considered a “security” under the Investment Advisers Act, but do not include:

 

1.

Direct obligations of the United States Federal Government.

 

2.

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements.

 

3.

Insurance company general accounts (short-term cash equivalent options of a variable life insurance policy).

 

4.

Shares of a money market fund or other short-term income or short-term bond funds.

 

5.

Shares of any open-end mutual fund, including any shares of a Reportable Fund.

 

6.

Futures and options on futures. However, a proposed trade in a “single stock future” (a security future which involves a contract for sale for future delivery of a single security) is subject to the Code’s pre-clearance requirement.

If you have any question or doubt about whether an investment is a Reportable Security under this Code, ask Compliance.

 

   23   


CWAM Code of Ethics

Revised 02/12/18

 

Appendix C – Other CWAM and Ameriprise Policies

 

   

CWAM Statement of Operations and Supervisory Procedures Manual

 

   

CWAM Information Wall Policy

 

   

CWAM Material Nonpublic Information Policy

 

   

CWAM Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy

 

   

CWAM Gifts and Entertainment Policy

 

   

CWAM Pay to Play Policy

 

   

CWAM Public Appearance and Media Interview Policy

 

   

Social Media Policy - Ameriprise

 

   24   

DIMENSIONAL

A Message from Our Co-CEOs

The success of Dimensional Fund Advisors can be traced directly back to our firm’s first two guiding principles: Act in the best interest of clients, and act ethically and legally. These beliefs have helped us set the industry standard in exceptional service and build lasting partnerships with our clients.

These strong relationships, some spanning over 20 years, are built on trust – treating our clients as we would want to be treated and always doing what we say we are going to do. We take our fiduciary obligation seriously and continually work to act as stewards of our clients’ assets, free from conflicts of interest.

Our firm’s commitment to integrity makes us stand out in a financial industry where competitive pressures are intense to behave otherwise. Dimensional will never compromise its principles or its compliance with laws and regulations, and we depend on our employees, as representatives of the firm, to uphold our ideals.

Please read this guide to learn the rules that influence our decisions and enable us to maintain the highest legal and ethical standards. Your cooperation with our code of ethics and standard of conduct will guarantee our reputation well into the future. We would like to thank you for your continued dedication to Dimensional and to our clients, which in turn allows us to continue providing for your success.

 

LOGO      LOGO

Dave Butler and Gerard O’Reilly


DIMENSIONAL    2

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Standard of Conduct

     3  

Reporting Code Violations

     3  

Code of Ethics

     4  

Who is subject to the Code of Ethics?

     4  

Covered Accounts

     4  

New Accounts

     4  

Non-Reportable Accounts

     4  

Personal Securities Transactions

     5  

Private Placements

     6  

Reportable Transactions (transactions which do not require pre-clearance, but must be reported)

     6  

Personal Trading Restrictions and Prohibited Activities

     6  

Certification Requirements

     8  

Reporting Requirements

     8  

Summary of Reporting Obligations

     8  

Sanctions

     8  

Communications with Disinterested Trustees and Outside Directors

     9  

Japan Supplement

     9  

Outside Activities

     9  

Guidelines

     10  

Approval Process

     10  

Gifts and Business Entertainment

     10  

Gifts

     10  

Business Entertainment

     11  

Political Contributions

     12  

Other Policy Highlights

     13  

Policy Against Bribery and Corruption

     13  

Privacy Policies

     13  

Glossary of Terms

     14  


DIMENSIONAL    3

 

STANDARD OF CONDUCT

All of us at Dimensional are responsible for maintaining the very highest ethical standards when conducting business. In keeping with these standards, we should adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of the law. Dimensional’s Code of Ethics (the “Code”) is designed to help ensure that our actions are consistent with these high standards.

The Code has been adopted by Dimensional pursuant to SEC Rules with the objectives of promoting:

 

   

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

   

full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents filed with relevant global regulatory agencies and in other public communications made by Dimensional;

 

   

compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;

 

   

the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to the Global Chief Compliance Officer (“Global CCO”) and the Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (“Designated Officer”); and

 

   

accountability for adherence to the Code.

Adherence to the Code is a basic condition of employment. Whether or not a specific situation is addressed, you must conduct yourself in accordance with its general principles and in a manner that is designed to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest . Failure to comply could result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Reporting Code Violations

Dimensional is committed to fostering a culture of compliance. If you have any questions or concerns, or become aware of a violation or potential violation of the Code, you are required to report the matter to one of the following:

 

   

The Global CCO and/or Designated Officer

 

   

General Counsel or

 

   

a member of the Ethics Committee

The Global CCO will receive reports on all violations of the Code reported to a Designated Officer and/or a member of the Ethics Committee.

You have the option of reporting compliance-related matters on a confidential basis through the Compliance Reporting System (“CRS”), or by email at Compliance@dimensional.com.

Retaliation against any employee for reporting compliance-related issues is cause for appropriate corrective action up to and including termination of the retaliating employee.

General Code or Standard of Conduct questions should be directed to your local Compliance Team members.


DIMENSIONAL    4

 

CODE OF ETHICS

Who is subject to the Code of Ethics?

The Code applies to all Dimensional employees, directors/trustees, officers and general partners, all of whom are considered Access Persons . In addition, certain provisions of the Code apply to Immediate Family Member(s) living in the same household.

Restrictions on personal investment transactions may also be applied to temporary personnel (i.e., interns, contractors or consultants) whose tenure exceeds ninety (90) days and/or who have access to nonpublic systems.

Covered Accounts

You are required to report all investment accounts (i.e., Covered Accounts ) with which you, your spouse, domestic partner, child or any other Immediate Family Member have Beneficial Ownership or interests. Covered Accounts include but are not limited to the following:

 

•  Brokerage Accounts

  

•   Discretionary Accounts 1

  

•  Employee Stock Compensation Plans

•  Retirement Accounts

(IRAs or local equivalent)

  

•  Transfer Agent Accounts

  

•  UTMAs or UGMAs

•  Mutual Fund Accounts

(i.e., collective investment schemes)

  

•  529 accounts, in which you direct investments in Dimensional Managed Funds

  

•  Contract for Difference Accounts (CDAs)

•  Self-Invested Personal Pension

(SIPPs) (UK specific)

  

•  Superannuation Accounts (managed, SMSF or Super Wrap, e.g., IOOF) (Australia specific)

  

•  Nippon (Japan) Individual Savings Account (NISA) (Japan specific)

•  Stock & Shares ISAs (UK specific)

  

•  Wrap Accounts

(Australia specific)

  

New Accounts

You must promptly report any new Covered Account for yourself, your spouse, domestic partner, child or any other Immediate Family Member. Unless the account has been reported, no personal securities transactions can occur within the account.

The U.S. Compliance Team will send a standard letter to U.S. broker-dealer(s) or bank(s), requesting duplicate statements and confirmations. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that duplicate statements and confirmations (or the local equivalent) are provided promptly. Confirmations should be provided within ten (10) calendar days.

Non-Reportable Accounts

You do not need to report the following accounts as Compliance has independent access to these records for monitoring and verification purposes:

 

   

Dimensional 401(k) account (or local equivalent);

 

1  

Discretionary Accounts must be disclosed and supporting documentation must be provided to Compliance.


DIMENSIONAL    5

 

   

Dimensional Health Savings Accounts (HSAs);

 

   

Dimensional Managed Fund accounts established through Fund Operations; and

 

   

If applicable, holdings in Dimensional’s privately issued shares.

Although these accounts do not need to be reported, investment activities in these accounts must comply with the standards of conduct embodied in the Code.

Personal Securities Transactions

You must pre-clear any personal securities transactions in covered securities prior to execution. 2 This also applies to transactions by any Immediate Family Member of the Access Person .

All personal securities transaction reports and requests for pre-clearance must be processed through Dimensional’s compliance reporting system (CRS), a web-based compliance system. Compliance will evaluate and review each pre-clearance transaction request and notification will be provided to employees through the CRS, in a timely manner.

Pre-clearance approval is valid for T+1 (i.e., market orders), from the time of approval. In addition, you are required to provide confirmations (or the local equivalent) for each approved and executed transaction.

Covered securities, which require pre-clearance, include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

•  Stocks/Shares

(common, preferred or restricted)

  

•  Derivatives

(options, futures, forwards,

CDA trades, etc.)

  

•  Private Placements

(documentation must be provided)

•  Closed-End Funds and REITs

  

•  Warrants & Rights

  

•  Convertible Securities

•  Voluntary Corporate Actions

  

•  Depository Receipts

(ADRs or GDRs)

  

•  Limited Partnerships and limited liability company interests 2

•  Fixed Income Securities

(excluding certain Sovereign

Government issuances) 2

  

•  Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) must be pre-cleared if the value of the transaction is >$10,000 (USD)

  

•  Dimensional Advised or Sub-advised Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) must be pre-cleared

Covered securities do not include exempt securities . Exempt securities include:

 

   

shares of registered open-end investment companies (i.e., open-end mutual funds);

   

shares of money market funds;

   

direct obligations of the U.S. Government, or direct obligations of a “Sovereign Government” (e.g., Government of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth Government of Australia, etc.);

   

bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements);

 

 

2  

Designated Officers (other than the Global CCO) are required to receive prior written approval of their personal securities transactions from Dimensional’s Global CCO. The Global CCO is required to receive prior approval of his personal securities transactions from one of the Dimensional Co-Chief Executive Officers.


DIMENSIONAL    6

 

•  shares issued by a unit investment trust that are invested exclusively in one or more registered open-end investment companies (none of which are Dimensional Managed Funds); and

•  privately issued shares of the Advisor.

Private Placements

You may not purchase a private placement unless approved by the Global CCO or Designated Officer . Approval would be based upon a determination that the investment opportunity was not being offered to you due to your employment with Dimensional, along with other relevant factors. Each private placement pre-clearance is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Reportable Transactions (transactions which do not require pre-clearance, but must be reported)

Although the following transactions do not require pre-clearance, you must report them through the CRS on a quarterly basis:

 

•  Dimensional Managed Funds (through a third party service provider or financial advisor);

•  Investments in 1940-Act Funds sub-advised by Dimensional;

•  529 Accounts that hold or are exclusively made up of Dimensional Funds;

•  Automatic Investment Plans (including dividend reinvestment plans) in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation; and

•  Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), other than Dimensional-advised or sub-advised ETFs, where the principal value of the transaction is less than USD $10,000 .

Please note: Although transactions in ETFs under USD $10,000 do not require pre-clearance, post-trade review will be performed and all other Code provisions will still apply, such as the sixty (60) day profit restriction.

Personal Trading Restrictions and Prohibited Activities

The following transactions are prohibited:

 

   

Initial public offering (IPO) investments;

 

   

Short selling of securities;

 

   

Transactions in securities that are subject to firmwide restriction; and

 

   

Transactions in a security while in possession of insider information. Such transactions are unethical and illegal and will be dealt with decisively (reference the Global Insider Trading Policy, the Singapore Supplemental Insider Trading Policy , and the Japan Insider Trading Management Policies ).

You are prohibited from executing personal investment transactions with individuals with whom business is being conducted on behalf of certain institutional clients. Therefore, Compliance may request the name of the account contact (or agent) before processing the pre-clearance request.


DIMENSIONAL    7

 

Blackout Period Restriction

 

   

A pre-clearance request involving a covered security will be denied if Dimensional has traded in the same or equivalent security within the past seven (7) calendar days, and the pre-clearance request is in an amount over USD $10,000. Please note that, with the exception of ETFs not managed by Dimensional, a transaction in a covered security in an amount less than USD $10,000 must be pre-cleared and reported.

 

   

Compliance will monitor trading activity for seven (7) calendar days following the pre-clearance approval date for conflicts of interest on non-Discretionary Accounts.

Short Term Trading Restrictions

 

   

Access Persons cannot profit from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) of the same or equivalent security within sixty (60) calendar days.

 

   

Gains are calculated based on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.

Excessive Trading of Dimensional Managed Funds

Employees are prohibited from engaging in excessive trading of any Dimensional Managed Funds in order to take advantage of short-term market movements. Excessive trading activity, such as a frequent pattern of exchanges, could result in harm to shareholders or clients.

ETFs for which Dimensional Serves as Advisor or Subadvisor

Employees with knowledge of the composition of the underlying ETF constituents are prohibited from using such information or from disclosing such information to any other person, except as authorized in the course of their employment, until such information is made public.

Cryptocurrencies

When seeking to acquire a digital currency, either directly or in the form of a security, please be aware of the following:

 

   

If you purchase or sell a digital currency considered to be a “security” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws (or any other applicable laws for non-U.S. personnel), you need to pre-clear the transaction just as you would any other Covered Security. Likewise, if you purchase or sell a fund or other instrument that invests in a digital currency (e.g., Bitcoin Investment Trust (“GBTC”)), you need to pre-clear the transaction just as you would any other covered security.

 

   

As with any initial public offering (IPO), your participation in an Initial Coin Offering or Initial Token Offering (ICO), is not permitted under the Code.

 

   

Holding or transacting in actual cryptocurrency that has been determined not to constitute a security within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws (or any other applicable laws for non-U.S. personnel), including holding or transacting in Bitcoin or Ethereum, does not require pre-clearance or reporting to Compliance.

Exceptions to Code Restrictions

In cases of hardship, the Global CCO or Designated Officer may grant an exception (or waiver) to the personal trading restrictions of the Code. The decision will be based on a determination that a hardship exists and the transaction for which the exception (or waiver) is requested would not result in a conflict with our clients’ interests or violate any other policy embodied in the Code. Any exception (or waiver) will be evidenced in writing and will be reported to the Ethics Committee.


DIMENSIONAL    8

 

Certification Requirements

All employees are required to complete a Code of Ethics Acknowledgement Form upon commencement of their employment with Dimensional, and annually thereafter, to acknowledge and certify that they have received, reviewed, understand and shall comply with the Code. In addition, all material amendments to, or any new interpretations of the Code, shall be conveyed to employees (which may include temporary personnel) and require their acknowledgment of receipt and understanding of the amendments or interpretations.

Reporting Requirements

All personal securities transactions and holdings reports will be reviewed by Compliance. The records and reports created or maintained pursuant to the Code are intended solely for internal use and are confidential unless required to be disclosed to a regulatory or governmental agency.

New employees who fail to submit their Compliance New Hire Questionnaire and Initial Holdings Report within ten (10) calendar days of their employment start date will be prohibited from engaging in any personal securities transaction until such report is submitted and may be subject to other sanctions.

Summary of Reporting Obligations

 

New Hires

  

All Employees

Upon joining the firm

(Due in 10 calendar days)

  

Quarterly and Annually

(Due 30 calendar days after each quarter)

New Hire Questionnaire

(Disciplinary Action Disclosure)

   Quarterly and Annual Compliance Questionnaires

Initial Holdings Report

(include private placements)

   Quarterly Transaction Reports and Annual Holdings Certification

Provide Covered Account statement(s)

(current, within 45 days prior

to start date)

   Covered Account(s) Certification; report new accounts upon opening.

Code of Ethics, Insider Trading

and Compliance Manual Acknowledgements

  

Code of Ethics, Insider Trading

and Compliance Manual Acknowledgements

Sanctions

Depending on the severity of the infraction, you may be subject to sanctions for violating the Code of Ethics and related personal trading controls (e.g., failure to pre-clear transactions, report accounts, and submit statements and/or initial, quarterly and annual certification forms). Sanctions may include but are not limited to:

 

   

verbal or written warnings,

 

   

letters of reprimand,


DIMENSIONAL    9

 

   

suspension of personal trading activity,

 

   

disgorgement and forfeiture of profits,

 

   

suspension, and/or

 

   

termination of employment

Repeated immaterial violations will be communicated to your supervisor, Department Head and the Global CCO for corrective action. Material violations will be escalated to the Ethics Committee and may be subsequently reported to the Board of Directors of Dimensional and other sub-advised boards as required.

Communications with Disinterested Trustees and Outside Directors

Dimensional attempts to keep directors/trustees informed with respect to Dimensional’s investment activities through reports and other information provided to them in connection with board meetings and other events. However, it is Dimensional’s policy not to communicate specific trading information and/or advice on specific issues to Disinterested Trustees and Outside Directors unless the proposed transaction presents issues on which input from the Disinterested Trustees or Outside Directors is appropriate (i.e., no information is given regarding securities for which current activity is being considered for clients). Any information requests by Disinterested Trustees or Outside Directors should be reported to the General Counsel or the Global CCO.

Disinterested Trustees are not subject to the reporting requirements except to the extent the Disinterested Trustee knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her duties as a director, should have known that during the fifteen (15) days immediately before or after the Disinterested Trustee’s transaction in a Covered Security, a U.S. Mutual Fund purchased or sold the covered security, or an Advisor considered purchasing or selling the covered security for a U.S. Mutual Fund.

Japan Supplement

Pursuant to local rules and regulations, Japanese employees have additional restrictions on personal trading (see the Japanese Code of Ethics Addendum ).

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

Certain types of outside business activities may cause a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest. There is no absolute prohibition on a Dimensional employee participating in certain outside activities such as charitable foundations and endowments, provided your participation does not present a conflict of interest and you comply with the Code. However, as a practical matter there may be circumstances in which it would not be in Dimensional’s best interest to allow an employee to participate in activities with an outside organization, even if the employee’s participation did not violate Dimensional’s policies and procedures (such as whether the activity would absorb a good part of the employee’s time, potentially affecting their performance at Dimensional).

It is impossible to anticipate every conflict of interest that may arise, but activities with outside organizations should be limited to those that either do not present or have the least potential of presenting conflicts of interest. As a result, Dimensional requires that outside business and charitable activities must be approved by your supervisor and Compliance prior to the acceptance of such a position (or if you are new, upon joining the firm).


DIMENSIONAL    10

 

Guidelines

Serving on the Boards of Public Companies

 

   

As a general matter, directorship or (an equivalent position) in an unaffiliated public company (or companies reasonable expected to become public companies) will not be authorized because of the potential conflicts.

 

   

If you wish to accept a directorship or (an equivalent position), you must obtain prior approval from the Boards of Directors of the Dimensional entities in which you are an employee and/or an officer.

Activities with a private organization

 

   

If you wish to be involved with a private organization (non-Dimensional) in an official capacity (officer, directorship or an equivalent position), you must obtain approval from the Co-CEOs and the Global CCO.

Activities with a non-profit organization

 

   

If you wish to be involved with a non-profit organization in an official capacity (directorship or an equivalent position), you must notify Compliance in writing as further approval may be required.

Compensation

 

   

If you receive compensation from an outside organization, you must obtain prior written approval from your supervisor and Compliance.

Approval Process

Outside activity requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and approval will be granted only if it is determined that the activity does not present a significant conflict of interest. Obtain written approval from your supervisor with the activity details and copy your local Compliance Team Designee(s). If any additional information is required, Compliance will reach out to you.

In instances where you receive authorization to serve as a director on an outside organization, you are expected to refrain from any direct (or indirect) involvement in the consideration by a Dimensional client of any purchase or sale for securities of that outside organization (or any affiliates of the outside organization) for which you serve as a director.

GIFTS AND BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT

If you accept or provide gifts or entertainment (including business entertainment) relating to Dimensional business, you must comply with regulatory requirements, Dimensional’s business practices, and the Code. The giving (or accepting) of gifts and entertainment may create (or appear to create) a conflict of interest and place Dimensional or a client in a difficult or embarrassing position. Therefore, embarrassing gifts should never be given (or accepted), and you always should use your best judgment when giving (or accepting) any gift or entertainment to determine whether it is appropriate.

Under certain circumstances, Section 17(e)(1) of the 1940 Act may prohibit Dimensional’s Fund Advisory Personnel from accepting gifts and entertainment from Broker Donors . Accordingly, Dimensional has adopted additional restrictions that apply when Broker Donors offer gifts and entertainment to Authorized Traders. If you are a member of Fund Advisory Personnel, you must comply with these additional restrictions.

Gifts

In general, you may give (or accept) gifts that do not exceed the annual aggregate amount of USD $100 (or the local currency equivalent). However, you must be mindful that some clients (or prospective clients) may be subject to additional regulatory restrictions or prohibitions on the acceptance of gifts or entertainment and may have to comply with related disclosure requirements. Therefore, you should inquire about any restrictions or disclosure requirements,


DIMENSIONAL    11

 

prior to giving any gifts (or providing business entertainment). The giving (or accepting) of all Gifts and Business Entertainment must be reported and logged promptly. Please contact a member of your local Compliance Team for reporting details. (U.S. employees refer to the designee(s) list on Be.Dimensional.)

Gifts include logo items (e.g., pens, hats, etc.), tickets for events, gift baskets, meals and transportation.

This policy does not apply to gifts or charitable donations made by you outside the scope of your responsibilities with Dimensional.

Gift Restrictions

 

   

You may not give (or accept) gifts in excess of USD $100 (or the local currency equivalent).

 

   

You may not give (or accept) gifts in the form of cash or cash equivalents.

 

   

Gifts valued in excess of USD $100 must be reported to Compliance and returned unless an exception is granted by the Global CCO or Compliance Designee.

 

   

No exceptions will be granted for gifts subject to FINRA’s USD $100 gift limit.

If you are a member of Fund Advisory Personnel, you must also comply with the following restrictions:

 

   

You may not accept any gifts from Broker Donors except gifts of de minimis value, such as non-lavish, logoed items or gifts of less than $25 in reasonably estimated value. If you have a long-standing personal relationship with a Broker Donor, you may attend a non-business, social event hosted by the Broker Donor, or accept a non-de minimis gift or entertainment greater in value than USD $25 from the Broker Donor if the event, gift, or entertainment is pre-approved first by your supervisor and then Compliance. You must report all gifts from Broker Donors regardless of value.

Business Entertainment

Business entertainment includes any event, meal or activity whose primary purpose is business and is offered by and attended by a person who has (either directly or through their employer or affiliate) a current or prospective business relationship with Dimensional. This also includes instances where a Dimensional employee is offering the event, meal or activity on behalf of a current or prospective Dimensional client or vendor. If the person (or entity) paying for the entertainment does not have a representative in attendance, the event constitutes as a gift and is subject to the gift restrictions above.

Providing Business Entertainment

You may provide business entertainment as long as it is appropriate and reported in writing to your supervisor. Business entertainment provided to a current or a prospective client or vendor will be overseen by your supervisor through the Dimensional expense reporting and approval process. If the business entertainment exceeds USD $100 per person, you will need to provide to your supervisor a written explanation along with the name of the client, business vendor or organization.

Receiving Business Entertainment

You may receive business entertainment as long as it is appropriate and reported in writing to your supervisor. If the estimated value of the business entertainment you receive is expected to exceed USD $100 per person, you will need to report the event in writing to the head of your department. The following types of business entertainment require pre-approval by your department head:


DIMENSIONAL    12

 

   

Attending business-related events with an expected value in excess of USD $100 per person (or the local equivalent);

 

   

Meals or events in which family members or friends are present; and

 

   

Attending meals or events in which five (5) or more Dimensional employees are in attendance.

If you are a member of Fund Advisory Personnel, you must also comply with the following restrictions:

 

   

You may not accept entertainment (such as sporting events) from Broker Donors. You may accept business meals from Broker Donors of less than USD $100 in anticipated value, and you must report those meals to your supervisor and Compliance. You may accept business meals from Broker Donors of greater than USD $100 in anticipated value provided you first pre-clear the meal with your supervisor and Compliance.

Unions and Union Officials

Special reporting rules apply when Dimensional employees furnish any gift or entertainment in excess of USD $250 in any calendar year to labor unions, union officials, agents or consultants of a Taft-Hartley plan. Please report all gifts or entertainment involving a union or union official to either Legal or Compliance. If applicable, Legal will be responsible for filing the required LM-10 form with the Department of Labor.

Supplemental Policies

 

   

Japan Addendum to Gift and Entertainment

POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s political contribution regulation and FINRA’s Rule 2030, also known as “pay to play” rules 3 , limit contributions 4 by investment advisers and certain of their employees to certain Covered Government Officials . In addition, Dimensional is subject to a variety of federal, state and local restrictions regarding political contributions, as well as contractual restrictions between Dimensional and certain clients.

Although Dimensional encourages civic and community involvement by its directors, officers and employees, Dimensional desires to avoid any situation that could curtail Dimensional’s current business or business prospects, raise potential or actual conflicts of interest, or create an appearance of impropriety in the context of Dimensional’s business relationships. Accordingly, all contributions by a director, officer, employee or Immediate Family Member of a director, officer or employee of Dimensional (each a “Contributor”), must be made on the Contributor’s behalf, entirely voluntary, and should not be in an amount (determined by Contributor taking into account the Code) that is likely to influence a candidate’s judgment regarding any continued or future business with Dimensional.

Specifically, this policy prohibits a Contributor from making political contributions when the solicitation or request for such contributions implies that continued or future business with Dimensional depends on making such contributions. Similarly, no contributions should be made that create the appearance that Dimensional stands to benefit in its business relations because of the Contributor’s contribution. If a Contributor is unsure if a particular political contribution would be in compliance with this policy, they should consult Dimensional’s U.S. Legal and/or Compliance Department.

 

3  

Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisors, Rule 206(4)-5; Engaging in Distribution and Solicitation Activities with Government Entities, FINRA Rule 2030.

4  

Contributions include, but are not limited to, monetary contributions, gifts and loans (including in-kind contributions, such as donation of goods or services).


DIMENSIONAL    13

 

More specifically, the following actions are prohibited:

 

   

Contributors are prohibited from making political or charitable contributions for the purpose of obtaining or retaining potential or existing public entity clients;

 

   

Contributors are prohibited from making any contributions that create the appearance that Dimensional stands to benefit in its business relations because of such contribution; and

 

   

Contributors from Dimensional’s non-U.S. based advisor affiliates are prohibited from making any political contributions to political action committees (PACs) federal, state or local candidates for elective office in the United States.

In order to prevent an inadvertent violation of the “pay to play” rules, Contributors are prohibited from making political contributions without prior approval from the Global CCO to any of the following:

 

   

Covered Government Officials

 

   

Political action committees (PACs)

Requests for approval of political contributions must be submitted through the CRS and cannot exceed Federal, state or client limitations. Dimensional’s Compliance Department will be responsible for maintaining the required books and records associated with employee political contributions to ensure the reports are kept confidential. In addition, Dimensional’s Global CCO or a Chief Executive Officer may grant exceptions to the contribution limitation on a case-by-case basis. Violations of this policy will not necessarily be deemed to be violations of the “pay to play” rules; all violations of this policy will be discussed by Dimensional’s Global Legal and Compliance Officers in making that determination. If you have any questions about the policy, please contact the U.S. Legal and/or Compliance Department.

OTHER POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

Policy Against Bribery and Corruption

Dimensional employees are prohibited from giving, offering or promising anything of value to a foreign official with the intent to improperly obtain or retain any business or any other advantage.

For a full explanation of the policy, please refer to the Bribery and Corruption Policy and the supplemental policies for the following:

 

   

Anti-Corruption Policy (U.K.)

Privacy Policies

You should be aware of your local privacy policies, Dimensional Privacy Policy and Procedures, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., Australian Privacy Policy Statement, the Japan Personal Information Protection Policies and the Singapore Privacy Policy . Information concerning Dimensional’s clients that you acquire in connection with your employment at Dimensional is proprietary . As an employee, contractor or consultant you have access to computers, systems and corporate information in order to do your job. This access means that you have an obligation to use these systems responsibly and follow company policies to protect information and systems.

You are prohibited from sending or forwarding sensitive or confidential data to your personal email address.

If you have any general questions about the Code, please contact a member of your local Compliance Team.


DIMENSIONAL    14

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following definitions apply to the bold terms used throughout the brochure:

1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940.

529 Account(s) (or 529 Plans) which have the ability to hold Dimensional Managed Funds are listed on Be.Dimensional.

Access Person means:

 

   

any director/trustee, officer or general partner of the U.S. Mutual Funds or Dimensional Entities;

 

   

any officer or director of the Distributor who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of covered securities for any registered investment company for which the Distributor acts as the principal underwriter;

 

   

employees of Dimensional who, in connection with their regular functions or duties, make, participate in, or obtain information regarding the purchase or sale of covered securities, or other advisory clients for which the Advisors provide investment advice, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales;

 

   

any natural persons in a control relationship with one or more of the U.S. Mutual Funds or Advisors who obtain information concerning recommendations made to such the U.S. Mutual Funds or other advisory clients with regard to the purchase or sale of covered securities, or whose functions or duties, as part of the ordinary course of their business, relate to the making of any recommendation to U.S. Mutual Funds or advisory clients regarding the purchase or sale of covered securities; and

 

   

any Supervised Person (which may include contractors or consultants) who has access to nonpublic information regarding client securities transactions, research or portfolio holdings of any Dimensional Managed Funds.

Advisers Act means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Advisor means Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC, Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. and Dimensional Japan Ltd.

Beneficial Ownership means the employee has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the securities held in an account. Employees have pecuniary interest in securities if they have the ability to directly or indirectly profit from a securities transaction. It is presumed that you have beneficial ownership interests in any account held individually or jointly, by you or by your Immediate Family Member or domestic partner ( or an unrelated adult with whom you share your home and contribute to each other’s support) including but not limited to family trusts and family partnerships (Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 16a-1; 17 CFR 240.16a-1).

Broker Donors mean broker-dealers or similar financial intermediaries and their employees, officers, directors, and other representatives.

Covered Account includes any broker-dealer, investment adviser, bank or other financial institutions in which an Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held or the account has the ability to hold securities for the direct or indirect benefit of such Access Person.


DIMENSIONAL    15

 

Covered Government Official means any person who is, at the time of the contribution, an incumbent or a candidate for state or local government office (including any candidate for a federal office currently holding a state or local office).

Designated Officer means the Global Chief Compliance Officer or any employee from the Dimensional Entities designated by the Global CCO .

Dimensional means (i) DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., the DFA Investment Trust Company, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund and Dimensional Investment Group Inc. (collectively, the “U.S. Mutual Funds” ), (ii) Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC, Dimensional Retirement Plan Services LLC, Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd., Dimensional Japan Ltd., and Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (collectively, the “ Dimensional Entities” ); and (iii) DFA Securities LLC (the “Distributor” ).

Dimensional Managed Funds means any series/portfolio of the U.S. Mutual Funds or any other fund advised by or sub-advised by any of the Advisors.

Discretionary Account means a personal account in which you have completely turned over decision-making authority to a professional money manager (who is not an Immediate Family Member or not otherwise covered by the Code) and you have no direct or indirect influence or control over the account. Such accounts are often referred to “professionally managed” or “managed accounts.”

Disinterested Trustee means a director/trustee of the U.S. Mutual funds who is not considered to be an “interested person” of the U.S. Mutual Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19)(A) of the 1940 Act.

Ethics Committee means the Ethics Committee appointed by the directors/trustees of the Dimensional Entities and consists of the following officers of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP: Co-Chief Executive Officers, General Counsel, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, Head of Global Institutional Services, Head of Global Human Resources, and Global Chief Compliance Officer.

Fund Advisory Personnel mean those persons whose names appear on the effective list of Authorized Traders kept by Dimensional.

Immediate Family Member of an employee means any of the following person(s) sharing the same household with the employee:

 

   

spouse, civil union or domestic partner, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, adoptive relationships and legal guardianships;

 

   

someone who holds account(s) in which the employee is a joint owner, has trading authority, or Beneficial Ownership; and/or

 

   

someone for whom the employee contributes to the maintenance of the household and the financial support of such person.

Outside Director means a director of any Advisor who is not considered to be an “interested person” of the Advisor within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19)(B) of the 1940 Act, provided that a director shall not be considered interested for purposes of this Code by virtue of being a director or knowingly having a direct or indirect beneficial interest in the securities of the Advisor if such ownership interest does not exceed five percent (5%) of the outstanding voting securities of such Advisor.


DIMENSIONAL    16

 

SEC Rules include but are not limited to Rule 206(4)-5 and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, and Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act.

Supervised Person means any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of an Advisor, or other person who provides (i) investment advice on behalf of an Advisor and (ii) is subject to the supervision and control of the Advisor with respect to activities that are subject to the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act.

Effective January 1, 2019 (22035.6)

 

 

LOGO

EXHIBIT NO. 99.(p)

 

LOGO

MFS ® Code of Ethics

Policy

 

February 1, 2019    Personal Investing   

 

LOGO

 

Applies to

 

All MFS full-time, part-time and temporary employees globally

 

All MFS contractors, interns and co-ops who have been notified by Compliance that they are subject to this policy

 

All MFS entities

 

Questions?

  

 

The inherent nature of MFS’ services in selecting and trading securities has the potential to create a real or apparent conflict of interest with your personal investing activities. As a result, every individual subject to this policy has a fiduciary duty to avoid taking personal advantage of any knowledge of our clients’ investment activities.

 

 

Following the letter and spirit of the rules in this policy is central to meeting client expectations and ensuring that we remain a trusted and respected firm.

iComply@mfs.com

Compliance Helpline, x54290

Ryan Erickson, x54430

Elysa Aswad, x54535

For more information on administration

such as regulatory authority,

supervision, interpretation and

escalation, monitoring, related policies,

amendment or recordkeeping please

click this link .

 


LOGO

Rules That Apply to Everyone

 

LOGO

 

Your fiduciary duty

Always place client interests ahead of your own. You must never:

 

    Take advantage of your position at MFS to misappropriate investment opportunities from MFS clients.

 

    Seek to defraud an MFS client or do anything that could have the effect of creating fraud or manipulation.

 

    Mislead a client.

Account reporting obligations

Make sure you understand which accounts are reportable accounts. To determine whether an account is reportable, ask the following questions:

1 Is the account one of the following?

 

    A brokerage account.

 

    Any other type of account (such as employee stock option or stock purchase plans) in which you have the ability to hold or trade reportable securities (see the list of reportable securities on page 7).

 

    Any account, including MFS-sponsored retirement or benefit plans, that holds a reportable fund (see definition of reportable fund on page 7 and a list of these funds on iComply).

2 Is any of the following true?

 

    You beneficially own the account.

 

    The account is beneficially owned by your spouse or domestic partner.

 

    The account is beneficially owned by another member of your household such as a parent, sibling or child for whom you provide financial support, such as sharing of household expenses.

 

    The account is beneficially owned by anyone who you claim as a tax deduction.

 

    The account is controlled by you or another member of your household (other than to fulfill duties of employment) for whom you provide financial support, such as sharing of household expenses.

If you answered “yes” to both questions, the account is reportable.

HELPFUL TO KNOW

Beneficial ownership

The concept of beneficial ownership is broader than that of outright ownership. Anyone who is in a position to benefit from the gains or income from, or who controls, an account or investment is considered to have beneficial ownership. This means that this policy applies not only to you, but to others that share beneficial ownership in these accounts or securities. See examples on page 6. Frequently Asked Questions on the topic can be found here .

Ensure that MFS receives account statements for all your reportable accounts. Depending on the type of account or your location, you may need to provide them to Compliance directly.

Promptly report any newly opened reportable account or any existing account that has become reportable. This includes accounts that become reportable accounts through life events, such as marriage, divorce, power of attorney or inheritance.

 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR US EMPLOYEES

Does not include interns, contractors, co-ops, or temporary employees

Maintain your reportable accounts at an approved broker. When you join MFS, if you have accounts at non- approved brokers you must close them or move them to an approved broker (list available on iComply).

In rare cases, if you file a request that includes valid reasons for an exception, we may permit you to maintain a reportable account at a broker not on the approved broker list (for instance, if you have a fully discretionary account).

 

 

 

 

Personal Investing | Page 2


LOGO

 

LOGO

 

HELPFUL TO KNOW

Discretionary accounts

Discretionary accounts (accounts that are managed for you by a third- party registered investment adviser or bank or trust company) are reportable, but with approval from Compliance they are subject to these requirements:

 

    They are exempt from quarterly transaction and annual holdings certifications (though you must still provide account statements).

 

    They are exempt from the Access Person and Research Analyst/ Portfolio Manager trading rules (such as the rules concerning pre- clearance and the 60-day holding period) (pp. 4–5), but you still must obtain pre-approval before your advisor participates in an IPO or private placement.

 

    They are exempt from certain “Ethical Personal Investing” trading rules such as excessive trading and trading of MFS funds (p. 3).

Securities reporting obligations

Make sure you understand which securities are reportable securities. This includes most stocks, bonds, MFS funds, exchange- traded funds (ETFs), futures, options, structured products, private placements and other unregistered securities even if they are not held in a reportable account. See the table on page 7.

Report all applicable accounts, transactions and holdings timely. Use the iComply system and submit all reports by these deadlines:

 

    Initial Accounts & Holdings reports: Submit within 10 calendar days of hire or upon an access level change. Information about these holdings must be no more than 45 days old when submitted.

 

    Quarterly Personal Transaction Report: Submit within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter.

 

    Annual Holdings Report: Submit within 30 days of the end of each calendar year.

Note that you must submit each report even if no transactions or other changes occurred during the time period.

The Quarterly Personal Transaction Reports do not need to include:

 

    Transactions or holdings in non-reportable securities.

 

    Transactions or holdings in discretionary accounts for which there is an approval on file with Compliance.

 

    Involuntary transactions, such as automatic investment plans, dividend reinvestments, etc. The Annual Holdings Report, however, must reflect these transactions.

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES IN SINGAPORE

Provide a copy of the contract note for any trade of any security, including reportable securities and non- reportable securities, to Singapore Compliance, within 7 days of the trade. Check with Singapore Compliance on the information you must provide.

 

 

Ethical Personal Investing

Never trade securities based on the improper use of information, and never help anyone else to do so. This includes any trade based on:

 

    Information about the investments of any MFS client, including front-running and tailgating (trading just before or just after a similar trade for a client account).

 

    Confidential information or inside information (information about the issuer of a security, or the security itself, that is both material and non-public).

Do not trade excessively. At MFS, personal trading is a privilege, not a right. It should never interfere with your job performance. MFS may limit the number of trades you are allowed during a given period, or may discipline you for trading excessively. In addition, frequent trading in MFS funds may trigger other penalties, as described in the relevant fund prospectuses.

Do not accept investment discretion over accounts that are not yours. In limited circumstances, and with advance approval from Compliance, you may be allowed to assume power of attorney relating to financial or investment matters for another person or entity.

If you become an executor or trustee of an estate and it involves control over a securities account, you must notify Compliance upon assuming the role, and you must meet any reporting or pre- clearance obligations that apply.

Do not participate in any investment contest or club. This applies whether or not any compensation or prize is awarded.

Do not invest in MFS-sub-advised ETFs. For a full list of these funds, see the iComply system.

Only make investments in MFS open-end funds directly through MFS (or another entity MFS may designate) unless you have received an exception from Compliance.

 

 

Personal Investing | Page 3


LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Do not participate in initial public offerings (IPOs) or other limited offerings of securities except with advance approval from MFS. This rule includes initial, secondary and follow-on offerings of equity securities and closed-end funds and new issues of corporate debt securities.

To request approval for an IPO or secondary offering, enter an Initial Public Offering Request using the form found on iComply. Note that approval is not typically granted, and when granted often involves strict limits.

Never use a derivative, or any other instrument or technique, to get around a rule. If an investment transaction is prohibited, then you are also prohibited from effectively accomplishing the same thing by using futures, options, ETFs or any other type of financial instrument.

Do not invest in Contracts for Difference or engage in spread betting on financial markets. This includes any wagering on market spreads or behaviors and any off-exchange trading.

HELPFUL TO KNOW

Changes in job status

When changing jobs within MFS, ensure that you understand the rules that apply to you. Confirm with your new manager and Compliance what your access level is and what restrictions and requirements apply to you.

When going on leave, you must continue to comply with this policy unless otherwise approved by Compliance.

 

 

Rules that Apply Only to Access Persons

LOGO

 

WHICH ACCESS LEVEL ARE YOU?

Access Persons Most MFS personnel, including all officers and directors, are designated as Access Persons. You should consider yourself an Access Person unless it has been communicated to you by Compliance that you are not.

Research Analysts and Portfolio Managers In addition to the rules for Access Persons, these individuals are subject to additional rules, as noted on the following pages.

Compliance may designate other personnel as Access Persons. This may include consultants, contractors or interns who provide services to MFS, and employees of Sun Life Financial Inc.

Pre-clearing personal trades

Make sure you understand which securities require pre- clearance. Note that there are some differences between which securities require pre-clearance and which must be reported. See the table on page 7 of this policy.

Pre-clear all personal trades in applicable securities. Request pre-clearance on the day you want to place the trade by entering your request in the iComply system. Remember that you must pre-clear trades for all of your reportable accounts (such as those of a spouse or domestic partner) as well as for securities not held in an account.

Once you have requested pre-clearance, wait for a response. Do NOT place any trade order until you have received notice of approval for that trade. Note that pre-clearance requests can be denied at any time and for any reason.

Pre-clearance approvals expire at the end of the trading day on which they are issued.

Obtain advance approval for any private investments or other unregistered securities. This includes private placements (investments in private companies), private investment in public equity securities (PIPES), hedge funds or other private funds, “crowdfunding” or “crowdsourcing” investments, peer-to-peer lending, pooled vehicles (such as partnerships), Initial Coin Offerings (ICO’s), Security Tokens and other similar investments.

Before investing, enter a Private Placement/Unregistered Securities Approval Request found on iComply, and do not act until you have received approval.

 

 

Personal Investing | Page 4


LOGO

 

LOGO

 

HELPFUL TO KNOW

Not recommended: Good ‘til canceled orders and buying on margin

These practices can create significant risk of policy violations.

Good ‘til canceled orders may execute after your pre-clearance approval has expired. Placing day orders avoids this risk. With margin, you might not be able to receive pre-clearance approval for those securities you wish to sell to meet a margin call

Limits to personal investment practices

Do not take an uncovered short position. This includes selling securities short, buying puts without a corresponding long position and writing naked calls.

Do not buy and then sell (or sell and then buy) at a profit the same or equivalent reportable security within 60 calendar days. MFS may interpret this rule very broadly. For example, it may look at transactions across all of your reportable accounts and may match trades that are not of the same size, security type or tax lot. Any gains realized in connection with these transactions must be surrendered. Note that this rule does not apply to securities that are not subject to pre-clearance, to accounts where a registered investment adviser has investment discretion, or to involuntary transactions. Japan-based personnel: See rule with higher standard below.

 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH ANALYSTS

including Research Associates and Portfolio Managers who may write research notes

Never trade (or transfer) reportable securities personally while in possession of material information about an issuer you have researched or been assigned to research unless you have already communicated the information in a research note. Japan-based personnel: See rule with higher standard below.

Understand and fulfill your duties with regard to research recommendations. You have an affirmative duty to provide unbiased and timely research recommendations in a research note. You must:

 

    Disclose trading opportunities for client accounts prior to trading personally in any securities of that issuer.

 

    Provide a research recommendation if a security is suitable for the

client accounts even if you have already traded the security personally or if making such a recommendation would create the appearance of a conflict of interest. Notify Compliance promptly of any apparent conflicts, but do not refrain from making a research recommendation.

 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

including Research Analysts assigned to a fund as a portfolio manager

Never personally trade (or transfer ownership of) a reportable security within seven calendar days before or after a trade in any security or derivative of the same issuer in any client account that you manage. In practice, this means:

    Contacting Compliance promptly when deciding to make a portfolio trade in any security you have personally traded within the past seven calendar days (but do not refrain from making a trade that is suitable for a client account even if you have traded the security personally).

 

    Refraining from personally trading any reportable securities you think any of your client accounts might wish to trade within the next seven calendar days.

 

    Delaying personal trades in any reportable securities your client accounts have traded until the eighth calendar day after the most recent trade by a client account (or longer, to be certain of avoiding any appearance of conflict of interest).

Note that this rule does not apply to securities that are not subject to pre-clearance, to accounts where a registered investment adviser has investment discretion or to involuntary transactions.

Never buy and then sell (or sell and then buy), within 14 calendar days, any shares of a fund you manage.

Contact Compliance before any fund you manage invests in any securities of an issuer whose private securities you own or if the private entity enters into a material transaction with a public issuer. You will need to disclose your private interest and assist Compliance in performing review.

 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR JAPAN-BASED PERSONNEL

Do not buy and then sell (or sell and then buy) the same or equivalent reportable security within six months.

Never trade personally in any security you have researched in the prior 30 days or are scheduled to research in the future.

 

 

Personal Investing | Page 5


LOGO

Additional Information for all Personnel Subject to this Policy

 

LOGO

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

 

Accounts of parents or children

 

    You share a household with one or both parents, but you do not provide any financial support to the parent(s): You are not a beneficial owner of the parents’ accounts and securities.

 

    You share a household with one or more of your children, whether minor or adult, and you provide financial support to the child: You are a beneficial owner of the child’s accounts and securities.

 

    You have a child who lives elsewhere whom you claim as a dependent for tax purposes: You are a beneficial owner of the child’s accounts and securities.

Accounts of domestic partners or roommates

 

    You are a joint owner or named beneficiary on an account of which a domestic partner is an owner: You are a beneficial owner of the domestic partner’s accounts and securities.

 

    You provide financial support to a domestic partner, either directly or by paying any portion of household costs: You are a beneficial owner of the domestic partner’s accounts and securities.

 

    You have a roommate: Generally, roommates are presumed to be temporary and to have no beneficial interest in one another’s accounts and securities.

UGMA/UTMA accounts

 

    Either you or your spouse is the custodian of a Uniform Gift/ Trust to Minor Account (UGMA/UTMA) for a minor, and one or both of you is a parent of the minor: You are a beneficial owner of the account. (If someone else is the custodian, you are not a beneficial owner.)

 

    Either you or your spouse is the beneficiary of an UGMA/UTMA account and is of majority age (for instance, 18 years or older in Massachusetts): You are a beneficial owner of the account.

Transfer on death (TOD) accounts

 

    You automatically become the registered owner upon the death of the prior account owner: You are a beneficial owner as of the date the account is re- registered in your name, but not before.

Trusts

 

    You are a trustee for an account whose beneficiaries are not immediate family members: Beneficial ownership is determined on a case-by-case basis, including whether it constitutes an outside business activity (see the Outside Activities & Affiliations Policy).

 

    You are a trustee for an account and you or a family member is a beneficiary: You are a beneficial owner of the account.

 

    You are a beneficiary of the account and can make investment decisions without consulting a trustee: You are a beneficial owner of the account.

 

    You are a beneficiary of the account but have no investment control: You are a beneficial owner as of the date the trust is distributed, but not before.

 

    You are the settlor of a revocable trust: You are a beneficial owner of the account.

 

    Your spouse or domestic partner is a trustee and a beneficiary: Beneficial ownership is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Investment powers over an account

 

    You have power of attorney over an account: You are a beneficial owner as of the date you assume control of the trading or investment decisions on the account, but not before.

 

    You have investment discretion over an account that holds, or could hold, reportable securities: You are a beneficial owner of the account, regardless of the location, account type or the registered owner(s) (other than to fulfill duties of employment).

 

    You are serving in a role that allows or requires you to delegate investment discretion to an independent third party: Beneficial ownership is determined on a case-by-case basis.
 

 

HELPFUL TO KNOW

How we enforce this policy

Compliance is responsible for interpreting and enforcing this policy. Exceptions may only be granted by Compliance. In that capacity, Compliance reviews and monitors transactions and reports and also investigates potential violations.

The Employee Conduct Oversight Committee reviews potential violations, and where it determines that a violation has occurred, it usually imposes a penalty. These may range from a warning letter to a requirement to surrender profits to a termination of employment, among other possibilities.

 

 

Personal Investing | Page 6


LOGO

Additional Information for all Personnel Subject to this Policy

 

LOGO

 

Security types and transactions that must be reported and/or pre-cleared

  

Report

All personnel

  

Pre-clear

Access persons only

Note: Securities terminology varies widely in global markets. If a security type is not listed here or you are unsure how a security is treated under this policy, please contact Compliance directly.

Funds

Money market funds (MFS or other)    No    No
Open-end funds that are advised or sub-advised by MFS (and are not money market funds)    Yes    No
Open-end funds that are not advised or sub-advised by MFS    No    No
529 Plans holding MFS advised or sub-advised funds    Yes    No
Closed-end funds (including venture capital trusts, investment trusts and MFS closed-end funds)    Yes    Yes
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs), including options, futures, structured notes and other derivatives related to these exchange-traded securities¹    Yes    No
Private funds    Yes    Yes
Equities
Sun Life Financial Inc. (publicly traded shares)    Yes    Yes
Equity securities, including real estate investment trusts (REITS), and including options, futures, structured notes or other derivatives on equities    Yes    Yes
Fixed income
Corporate and municipal bond securities, including options, futures or other derivatives    Yes    Yes
US Treasury securities and other obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the US government    No    No
US government agency debt obligations that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the US government (such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks and Tennessee Valley Authority)    Yes    Yes
Non-US government securities, and options, futures or other derivatives on these securities.    Yes    Yes
Money market instruments, such as certificates of deposit and commercial paper    No    No
Other types of assets
Initial and subsequent investments (including capital calls) in any private placement or other unregistered securities (including real estate limited partnerships or cooperatives)    Yes    Yes
Private MFS stock and private shares of Sun Life of Canada (US) Financial Services Holdings, Inc.    No    No
Limited offerings, IPOs, secondary offerings    Yes    Yes
Derivatives, such as options, futures or swaps, on security indexes    Yes    No
Derivatives, such as options, futures or swaps, on commodities and currencies, including virtual currencies    Only if notified by Compliance   
Other types of transactions
Involuntary transactions (see definition below)    No    No

Gifts of securities, including charitable donations, transfers, and inheritances

   Yes    No

 

¹

Investments in MFS sub-advised ETF’s are prohibited

 

Personal Investing | Page 7


LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Terms with special meanings

 

Within this policy, the following terms carry the specific meanings indicated below.

contract for difference A contract for difference (CFD) is a contract between an investor and an investment bank or a spread-betting firm. At the end of the contract, the parties exchange the difference between the opening and closing prices of a specified financial instrument, including shares or commodities.

involuntary transaction Transactions that are not under your direct or indirect influence or control, such as inheritances, gifts received, automatic investment plans, dividends and dividend reinvestments, corporate actions (such as stock splits, reverse splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs and reorganizations), exercise of a conversion or redemption right or automatic expiration of an option.

reportable funds Any fund for which MFS acts as investment advisor, sub-advisor, or principal underwriter including MFS retail funds, MFS Variable Insurance Trust and MFS Meridian funds. See the iComply system Policies & Procedures page for a current list of reportable funds.

 

 

Personal Investing | Page 8

MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PUBLIC SIDE 1

CODE OF ETHICS AND PERSONAL TRADING GUIDELINES

Effective Date: December 12, 2018

 

1  

Excluding Private Side Employees


Table of Contents 2

 

I.

 

INTRODUCTION

     3  
  A.   

General

     3  
  B.   

Standards of Business Conduct

     3  
  C.   

Overview of Code Requirements

     3  
  D.   

Definitions

     4  
  E.   

Grounds for Disqualification from Employment

     7  

II.

 

TYPES OF ACCOUNTS/ACCOUNT OPENING REQUIREMENTS

     8  
  A.   

Employee Securities Accounts

     8  
  B.   

Fully Managed Account*

     8  
  C.   

Other Morgan Stanley Accounts

     9  
  E.   

Individual Savings Accounts (“ISAs”) for employees of MSIM Ltd.

     10  
  F.   

Mutual Fund Accounts

     10  
  G.   

Issuer Purchase Plans

     10  
  H.   

Investment Clubs

     10  
  I.   

529 Plans

     10  

III.

 

TRADE PRE-CLEARANCE/RESTRICTIONS

     11  
  A.   

General

     11  
  B.   

Initiating a Transaction

     11  
  C.   

Pre-Clearance Valid for One Day Only

     11  
  D.   

Restrictions and Requirements for Portfolio Managers and Investment Personnel

     11  
  E.   

Employees Designated to be “Above the Wall”

     12  
  F.   

Transacting in Morgan Stanley Securities

     12  
  G.   

Trading Derivatives

     12  
  H.   

Other Restrictions

     13  
  I.   

Other Activities Requiring Pre-Clearance

     14  

IV.

 

HOLDING REQUIREMENTS AND REPURCHASE LIMITATIONS

     14  
  A.   

Proprietary and Sub-advised Mutual Funds

     14  
  B.   

Covered Securities

     14  
  C.   

Holding Requirements Specific to MSIMJ Employees

     14  
  D.   

Holding Requirements Specific to HK Type 9 licensed Employees

     15  

V.

 

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

     15  
  A.   

Initial Reporting and Certification

     15  
  B.   

Quarterly Reporting and Certification

     15  
  C.   

Annual Reporting and Certification

     16  

VI.

 

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

     17  
  A.   

Approval to Engage in an Outside Activity

     17  
  B.   

Approval to Invest in a Private Investment

     18  
  C.   

Pre-Clearance Process

     18  

VII.

 

CONSULTANTS AND TEMPORARY WORKERS

     18  

VIII.

 

REVIEW, INTERPRETATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS

     19  

IX.

 

ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS

     19  

X.

 

RELATED POLICIES

     19  

 

2  

Previous versions: August 16, 2002, February 24, 2004, June 15, 2004, December 31, 2004, December 15, 2006, May 12, 2008 , August 19, 2010, September 17, 2010, February 15, 2011, March 1, 2011, September 28, 2011, June 29, 2012, September 16, 2013, October 10, 2014, March 26, 2016 and December 7, 2017.

 

2


I.

INTRODUCTION 3

 

  A.

General

The Morgan Stanley Investment Management (“MSIM”) Public Side Code of Ethics (the “Code”) is reasonably designed to prevent legal, business and ethical conflicts, to guard against the misuse of confidential information, and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety that may arise in connection with your personal trading and outside activities as an MSIM employee. It is very important for you to read the “Definitions” section below to understand the scope of this Code, including the individuals, accounts, securities and transactions it covers. You are required to acknowledge receipt and your understanding of this Code at the start of your employment at MSIM or when you become a Covered Person, as defined below, and annually thereafter.

 

  B.

Standards of Business Conduct

MSIM seeks to comply with the Federal securities laws and regulations applicable to its business. The Code is designed to assist you in fulfilling your regulatory and fiduciary duties as an MSIM employee as they relate to your personal securities transactions.

 

   

Fiduciary Duties. As an MSIM employee, you owe a fiduciary duty to MSIM’s Clients. This means that in every decision relating to personal investments, you must recognize the needs and interests of Clients and place those ahead of any personal interest or interest of the Firm.

 

   

Personal Securities Transactions and Relationship to MSIM’s Clients. MSIM generally prohibits you from engaging in personal trading in a manner that would distract you from your daily responsibilities. MSIM strongly encourages you to invest for the long term and discourages short-term, speculative trading. You are cautioned that short-term strategies may attract a higher level of regulatory and other scrutiny. Excessive or inappropriate trading that interferes with job performance or that compromises the duty that MSIM owes to its Clients will not be tolerated.

If you become aware that you or someone else may have violated any aspect of this Code, you must report the suspected violation to Compliance immediately.

 

  C.

Overview of Code Requirements

Compliance with the Code is a matter of understanding its basic requirements and making sure the steps you take regarding activities covered by the Code are in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Code. Generally, you have the following obligations:

 

3  

This Code is intended to fulfill MSIM’s requirements under Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Company Act”). Note that there is a separate Code of Ethics for the Morgan Stanley mutual fund family.

 

3


Activity

  

Code Requirements

Employee Securities Account(s)    Pre-clearance, Reporting
Personal Trading Reporting    Pre-clearance, Holding, Reporting
Participating in an Outside Activity    Pre-clearance, Reporting
Making a Private Investment    Pre-clearance, Reporting

You must examine the specific provisions of the Code for more details on each of these activities and are strongly urged to consult with Compliance if you have any questions.

 

  D.

Definitions

These definitions are here to help you understand the application of the Code to various activities undertaken by you and other persons related to you who may be covered by the Code. The definitions are an integral part of the Code and a proper understanding of them is essential. Refer back to these definitions as you read the Code.

“Access Persons ” (for purposes of transacting in Morgan Stanley securities) is defined in the Global Employee Trading, Investing and Outside Business Activities Policy and means those individuals or divisions that, as part of their job function may receive or have access to Morgan Stanley-related material non-public information that is recurring or cyclical in nature.

“Client” means shareholders or limited partners of registered and unregistered investment companies and other investment vehicles, institutional, high net worth and retail separate account clients, employee benefit trusts and all other types of clients advised by MSIM.

“Compliance” means your local Compliance group (New York, London, Singapore, Tokyo and Mumbai).

“Consultant” means a non-employee of MSIM who falls under the definition of a Covered Person.

“Covered Persons” means:

 

   

All MSIM Employees;

 

   

All directors and officers of MSIM;

 

   

Any person (such as certain consultants, leased workers or temporary workers) who provides investment advice to clients on behalf of MSIM, is subject to the supervision and control of MSIM or who has access to nonpublic information regarding any Client’s purchase or sale of securities, or who is involved in making securities recommendations to Clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic.

 

   

Any person with responsibilities related to MSIM or who supports MSIM as a business and has frequent interaction with Covered Persons or Investment Personnel, as determined by Compliance.

 

4


   

Any other persons falling within the definition of “Access Person” under Rule 17j-1 of the Company Act or Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act (such as those supervised persons who have access to nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of a client fund) and such other persons that may be so deemed by Compliance from time to time.

The definition of “Covered Person” may vary by location. Contact Compliance if you have any question as to your status as a Covered Person.

“Covered Securities” includes generally all equity or debt securities, including derivatives of securities (such as options, warrants and American depositary receipts), futures, commodities, securities indices, exchange-traded funds, open-end mutual funds for which MSIM acts as adviser or sub-adviser (including those funds that consist of exempt securities as listed in Schedule A), closed-end funds, corporate and municipal bonds, and similar instruments, but does not include “Exempt Securities,” as defined below. Refer to Schedule A for application of the Code to various security types.

“Employee” means an MSIM employee as well as his/her spouse or domestic partner, dependents and other persons for whom the employee, employee’s spouse or domestic partner contributes substantial financial support.

“Employee Securities Accounts” are any accounts in your own name and other accounts you could be expected to influence or control, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether for securities or other financial instruments, and that are capable of holding Covered Securities, whether or not such capability is utilized. Employee Securities Accounts include:

 

   

accounts owned by you;

 

   

accounts owned by your spouse or domestic partner;

 

   

accounts owned by your children or other relatives of you or your spouse or domestic partner who reside in the same household as you or to whom you contribute substantial financial support (e.g., a child in college that is claimed as a dependent on your income tax return or who receives health benefits through you);

 

   

accounts where you obtain benefits substantially equivalent to ownership of securities;

 

   

accounts that you or the persons described above could be expected to influence or control, such as:

 

   

joint accounts;

 

   

family accounts;

 

   

retirement accounts;

 

5


   

corporate accounts;

 

   

trust accounts for which you act as trustee where you have the power to effect investment decisions or that you otherwise guide or influence;

 

   

arrangements similar to trust accounts that benefit you directly;

 

   

accounts for which you act as custodian; and

 

   

partnership accounts.

“Exempt Securities” are securities that are not subject to the pre-clearance or holding requirements but are subject to reporting requirements of the Code and can be reported via the Reportable Accounts Disclosure System . Examples of Exempt Securities requiring disclosure include:

 

   

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit and commercial paper;

 

   

Investment grade, short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements (which for these purposes are repurchase agreements and any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of fewer than 366 days that is rated in one of the two highest categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization);

 

   

Direct obligations of the U.S. Government 4 ;

 

   

Shares held in money market funds;

 

   

Variable insurance products that invest in funds for which MSIM does not act as adviser or sub-adviser; and

 

   

Open-end mutual funds for which MSIM does not act as adviser or sub-adviser.

Refer to Schedule A for application of the Code to various security types and additional requirements for Morgan Stanley Asia Limited employees who hold a Hong Kong Type 9 license.

“Firm” means Morgan Stanley, MSIM’s parent company.

“Fully Managed Account” means an account for which an MSIM employee has authorized a professional financial advisor or investment manager, in its sole discretion, to acquire and dispose of assets held in the account. The MSIM employee may not make, directly or indirectly, any investment decision, be made aware of any such decisions before transactions are executed by the advisor or manager, or otherwise direct the advisor or manager to effect any transactions in the account. A Fully Managed Account is not considered an Employee Securities Account.

“Hong Kong Type 9 License Holder” means MSIM public side Investment Personnel housed in Hong Kong entity Morgan Stanley Asia Limited who holds a Hong Kong Type 9 license.

 

4  

Includes securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government for the timely payment of principal and interest, such as Ginnie Maes, U.S. savings bonds, and U.S. Treasuries, and equivalent securities issued by non-U.S. governments.

 

6


“Investment Personnel” means (i) MSIM employees and any other Covered Persons who obtain or have access to information concerning investment recommendations made to any Client; and (ii) any persons designated as Investment Personnel by Compliance.

“IPO” means an initial public offering of equity securities registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or a foreign financial regulatory authority.

“Morgan Stanley Broker” means a broker-dealer affiliated with Morgan Stanley.

“Morgan Stanley Investment Management” or “MSIM” means the companies and businesses comprising Morgan Stanley’s Investment Management Division, but not including the Private Side. See Schedule B for a list of those legal entities that comprise MSIM for purposes of the Code.

“Morgan Stanley securities” means equity, preferred and debt securities issued by Morgan Stanley, but excludes structured products, such as equity-linked or credit- linked notes.

“Mutual Funds” means (i) all open-end mutual funds; and (ii) similar pooled investment vehicles established in non-U.S. jurisdictions, such as registered investment trusts in Japan. For purposes of the Code, Mutual Fund does not include shares of open-end money market mutual funds (unless otherwise advised by Compliance).

“Outside Activity” means any organized or business activity conducted by a MSIM employee outside of MSIM. This includes, but is not limited to, participation on a board of directors or advisory board, including that of a charitable organization, working part- time outside of MSIM, establishing a holding company for investments, establishing an LLC that invests in rental properties, or forming a limited partnership.

“Portfolio Managers” means MSIM employees who are primarily responsible for the day- to-day management of a Client portfolio.

“Private Investment” means a securities offering that is exempt from registration under certain provisions of the U.S. securities laws and/or similar laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions. It includes investments in hedge funds, private equity funds, limited partnerships, real estate, peer to peer lending clubs and private businesses.

“Proprietary or Sub-advised Mutual Fund means any open-end Mutual Fund for which MSIM acts as investment adviser or sub-adviser.

“Research Analysts” are MSIM employees who are assigned to make investment recommendations to, or for the benefit of, any Client portfolio.

 

  E.

Grounds for Disqualification from Employment

Pursuant to the terms of Section 9 of the Company Act, no director, officer or employee of MSIM may become, or continue to remain, an officer, director or employee of MSIM without an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, if such director, officer or employee:

 

7


   

within the past ten years has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor (i) involving the purchase or sale of any security; or (ii) arising out of his or her conduct as an underwriter, broker, dealer, investment adviser, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer, transfer agent, or entity or person required to be registered under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, or as an affiliated person, salesman or employee of any investment company, bank, insurance company or entity or person required to be registered under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act; or

 

   

is or becomes permanently or temporarily enjoined by any court from: (i) acting as an underwriter, broker, dealer, investment adviser, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer, transfer agent, or entity or person required to be registered under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, or as an affiliated person, salesman or employee of any investment company, bank, insurance company or entity or person required to be registered under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act; or (ii) engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity or in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.

You are obligated to immediately report any conviction or injunction described here to Compliance.

 

II.

TYPES OF ACCOUNTS/ACCOUNT OPENING REQUIREMENTS

 

  A.

Employee Securities Accounts

Generally, you must maintain all Employee Securities Accounts that may invest in Covered Securities at a Morgan Stanley Broker or a Firm-approved third party broker. Requirements may vary in non-U.S. offices. New MSIM employees or newly designated Covered Persons must disclose their account(s) within 30 calendar days of hire and transfer their Employee Securities Account(s) to a Morgan Stanley Broker/Firm-approved third party broker as applicable in non-US jurisdictions, at their own expense, as soon as practicable (generally within 60 calendar days of becoming a Covered Person). Failure to do so is considered a significant violation of this Code.

Opening a Morgan Stanley Brokerage Account. When opening an account, you must notify the Morgan Stanley Broker that you are an Employee and that your account must be coded as an employee or employee-related account.

 

  B.

Fully Managed Account*

You may open a Fully Managed Account if the account meets the standards set forth below. In certain circumstances and with approval from Compliance, you may appoint non-Morgan Stanley managers (e.g., trust companies, banks or registered investment advisers) to manage your account.

 

8


In order to establish a Fully Managed Account, you must grant the manager complete investment discretion over your account. Pre-clearance is not required for trades in this account; however, you may not participate, directly or indirectly, in individual investment decisions or be made aware of such decisions before transactions are executed. This restriction does not preclude you from establishing investment guidelines for the manager, such as indicating industries in which you desire to invest, the types of securities you want to purchase or your overall investment objectives. However, those guidelines may not be changed so frequently as to give the appearance that you are actually directing account investments. To the extent that you become aware of a proposed transaction by the manager in these types of accounts or have personally directed or asked another person to direct trades in these accounts, you are required to pre-clear the transaction prior to execution of the trade by the manager. If the account is managed by a Firm other than Morgan Stanley, you must submit a request in the Outside Business Interests System (the “OBI System”) and arrange for duplicate copies of trade confirmations and statements to be sent to Compliance.

Annually, MSIM employees will be required to attest that they have not made, directly or indirectly, any individual investment decision related to such managed account(s), nor have they directed another person to make such investments without first pre-clearing those transactions in accordance with Section III.

 

*

Pursuant to local regulation, employees of MSIM Private Limited and IM Public Side employees of the Global In-house Centers as listed in Schedule B are prohibited from opening fully managed accounts.

 

  C.

Other Morgan Stanley Accounts

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) (no new contributions)

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Employee Incentive Compensation Plan (EICP)

Morgan Stanley Compensation Incentive Program (MSCIP)

Morgan Stanley 401(k) (401(k) Plan)

You do not have to pre-clear participation in the ESOP, EICP MSCIP or 401(k) Plan with Compliance. However, you must disclose participation in any of these plans as part of the quarterly reporting process upon initial participation, and in annual certifications.

 

  D.

Non-Morgan Stanley Accounts

Exceptions to the requirement to maintain Employee Securities Accounts at a Morgan Stanley Broker are rare and require Compliance approval. If your request is approved, you will be required to ensure that duplicate confirmations and statements are sent to Compliance. Requirements may vary in non-U.S. offices.

If you open an outside account without obtaining the required Compliance pre-approval, you must immediately disclose it to Compliance. You may be required to close such account.

 

9


Maintaining a non-Morgan Stanley 401(k) plan or similar account that permits you to trade covered securities must be approved by Compliance.

 

  E.

Individual Savings Accounts (“ISAs”) for employees of MSIM Ltd.

Fully Managed ISAs (i.e., an independent manager makes the investment decisions) may be established and maintained without the prior approval of Compliance, provided that you exercise no influence or control on stock selection or other investment decisions. Non-discretionary ISAs (including single company ISAs), where you make investment decisions, may only be established and maintained as long as the account is pre-approved by Compliance, duplicate statements are supplied to Compliance and applicable reporting requirements are met. Once a Fully Managed ISA is established, it must be disclosed to Compliance in the OBI System.

 

  F.

Mutual Fund Accounts

You may open an account for the purpose of transacting in open-end Mutual Funds, including Sub-Advised and Proprietary Mutual Funds (i.e., an account directly with a fund transfer agent) without prior approval from Compliance; however, these accounts are subject to reporting requirements of the Code and should be reported via the Reportable Accounts Disclosure System .

 

  G.

Issuer Purchase Plans

You may open an account directly with an issuer to purchase its shares, such as a dividend reinvestment plan, or “DRIP,” by submitting the DRIP Form to your local Compliance group and pre-clearing the initial purchase and any sales. You must also report DRIP holdings to Compliance as part of the annual certification process.

 

  H.

Investment Clubs

You may not participate in or solicit transactions on behalf of investment clubs in which members pool their funds to make investments in securities or other financial products.

 

  I.

529 Plans

You do not have to obtain approval from Compliance to participate in a 529 plan; however, these plans should be reported via the Reportable Accounts Disclosure System .

 

10


III.

TRADE PRE-CLEARANCE/RESTRICTIONS

 

  A.

General

You are required to pre-clear all personal securities transactions in Covered Securities, other than transactions in Proprietary or Sub-advised Mutual Funds. Transactions involving Exempt Securities, including Proprietary and Sub-Advised Mutual Funds, do not require pre-clearance. Should an employee be made aware of a proposed transaction in a Fully Managed account or have personally directed, or asked another person to direct a trade in a Fully Managed account, the employee is required to pre-clear that trade prior to execution. See the Securities Transaction Matrix attached as Schedule A for additional information about when pre-clearance is required. In keeping with the general principles and objectives of the Code, Compliance, in its sole discretion, may refuse to grant approval of a personal securities transaction, without specifying a reason for the refusal.

Personal trade requests will be denied if there is an open order for any Client in the same security or related security at the time the personal trade request is submitted. Exceptions are granted if the Covered Security is being purchased or sold for a passively-managed index fund or index portfolio.

Any transaction that is prohibited by the Code may be required to be reversed and any profits (or any differential between the sale price of the personal security transaction and the subsequent purchase or sale price by a Client during the relevant period) subject to disgorgement. See “Enforcement and Sanctions” below.

 

  B.

Initiating a Transaction

Pre-clearance is obtained by entering your trade request into the Trade Pre-Clearance system (type “TPC” into your intranet browser). Upon completion of the necessary checks, Compliance will notify you promptly regarding your request, generally on the same business day.

 

  C.

Pre-Clearance Valid for One Day Only

If your trade request is approved, such approval is valid only for the day on which it is granted. Any transaction not completed on that day will require a new approval. This means that open orders, such as limit orders and stop-loss orders, must be pre-cleared each day until the transaction is effected. 5

 

  D.

Restrictions and Requirements for Portfolio Managers and Investment Personnel

No purchase or sale transaction may be made in any Covered Security or a related investment (i.e., derivatives) by a Portfolio Manager for a period of seven calendar days before or seven calendar days after the Portfolio Manager purchases or sells the security on behalf of a Client. A Portfolio Manager may request an exception from the blackout period if the Covered Security was traded for an index fund or index portfolio.

 

5  

In the case of trades in international markets where the market has already closed, transactions must be executed by the next close of trading in that market.

 

11


Investment Personnel who have knowledge of a Portfolio Manager’s trading activity are subject to the same seven day blackout period. Investment Personnel must obtain approval from their manager or his/her designee prior to obtaining pre-clearance by Compliance.

 

  E.

Employees Designated to be “Above the Wall”

MSIM employees in the MSIM Legal and Compliance Division and the MSIM Global Risk & Analysis are designated to be “Above the Wall” (“ATW”) and their personal securities transactions are subject to additional pre-clearance checks with the Control Group. Other employees may also be subject to the ATW checks as deemed necessary by Compliance.

 

  F.

Transacting in Morgan Stanley Securities

Transacting in, including the gifting of, Morgan Stanley securities must take place during designated window periods. Consult MS Today for the window period announcement prior to trading. Except as noted below for Access Persons, if you are transacting in Morgan Stanley securities through a brokerage account, you are not required to pre-clear the transaction with Compliance. Similarly, you do not have to pre-clear transactions in Morgan Stanley securities sold out of your EICP, ESOP, ESPP or 401(k) Plan. All other holding and reporting requirements for Covered Securities still apply.

As noted above, transactions in Morgan Stanley securities effected by MSIMJ employees are subject to a six month holding period.

Additional Restrictions for Access Persons Transacting in Morgan Stanley Securities . All transactions in Morgan Stanley securities must occur during the designated 30-day open window period each quarter. Compliance communicates the open and closed window periods applicable to Access Persons each quarter. During an open window period, Access Persons are required to pre-clear transactions in Morgan Stanley securities through TPC . This includes transactions made in the Morgan Stanley stock fund of the 401(k) Plan or shares held externally from previous Firm-sponsored plans (e.g., Computershare, Equiniti).

Positions in Morgan Stanley securities must be held for a minimum of 30 calendar days. A six-month holding period applies to the Firm’s Management and Operating Committee members for positions in Morgan Stanley securities. Shares received as part of equity- based compensation are exempt from the holding period requirements. You are prohibited from buying or selling Morgan Stanley securities if you are in possession of material, non-public information regarding Morgan Stanley.

 

  G.

Trading Derivatives

You may not trade futures, forward contracts, including currency forwards, physical commodities and related derivatives, over-the-counter warrants or swaps. You are prohibited from selling (“writing”) a put. The following is a list of permitted options trading:

 

12


Call Options

Listed Call Options. You may purchase a listed call option if the call option has a “period to expiration” of at least 30 calendar days from the date of purchase and you hold the call option for at least 30 calendar days prior to sale. If you choose to exercise the option, you must also hold the underlying security delivered pursuant to the exercise for 30 calendar days.

Covered Calls . You may also sell (or “write”) a call option only if you have held the underlying security (in the corresponding amount) for at least 30 calendar days.

Put Options

Listed Put Options. You may purchase a listed put option if the put option has a “period to expiration” of at least 30 calendar days from the date of purchase and you hold the put option for at least 30 calendar days prior to sale. If you purchase a put option on a security you already own, you may exercise the put once you have held the underlying security for 30 calendar days. If you purchase a put on a security that you do not own, you may not exercise the put; and must sell the option prior to its expiration date.

You must obtain pre-clearance from Compliance to exercise an option or purchase or sell an option.

 

  H.

Other Restrictions

Primary and Secondary Public Offerings . You and your Employee Securities Account(s) are generally prohibited from purchasing any equity security in an initial or secondary/follow on public offering. In addition, unless otherwise notified by Compliance, you may not purchase an equity security that is part of a primary or secondary public offering that the Firm is underwriting or selling until the distribution has been completed. This restriction does not apply to rights issuances to which Employee Securities Accounts would be entitled with regard to their existing holdings. Note that this restriction also applies to your immediate family, regardless of whether the securities are purchased into an Employee Securities Account.

Purchases of new issue debt are permitted, provided such purchases are pre-cleared by Compliance and meet other relevant requirements of the Code.

Short Sales . You may not engage in short selling of Covered Securities.

Restricted List . You may not transact in Covered Securities that appear on the Firmwide Restricted List. Please check the Restricted List at the time of submitting a TPC request.

Cross Trades: MSIM employees are not allowed to engage in cross trades or pre-arranged trades between MSIM funds or accounts and the MSIM employee’s Security Accounts.

Changes to normal settlement cycles: Hong Kong Type 9 License Holders are not permitted to make changes to normal settlement cycle or delay settlement for any trades in Employee Security Accounts.

 

13


  I.

Other Activities Requiring Pre-Clearance

The following activities also require pre-clearance:

 

   

Outside Activities

 

   

Transactions in Private Investments

 

   

Political Contributions

 

  J.

Additional Large Trading Clearance for Employees in Asia Pacific and Japan

Before executing a securities transaction that exceeds USD 500,000 (or its currency equivalent) or where the cumulative value of current transaction and all transactions in the same issuer within a 30 day calendar window exceeds USD 500,000 (or its currency equivalent), all MSIM employees in Asia Pacific and Japan are required obtain additional large trade pre-clearance by completing the form in the policy link provided below and email a copy to “asialargetrades”:

Additional Large Trade Clearance for Employee Trades in Asia Pacific

Additional Large Trade Clearance for Employee Trades in Japan

Please note this approval requirement is in addition to the Trade pre-clearance requirement via the TPC system referred to in Section B above.

 

IV.

HOLDING REQUIREMENTS AND REPURCHASE LIMITATIONS

 

  A.

Proprietary and Sub-advised Mutual Funds

You may not redeem or exchange Proprietary or Sub-Advised Mutual Funds until at least 30 calendar days from the purchase trade date.

 

  B.

Covered Securities

You may not sell a Covered Security until you have held it for at least 30 calendar days. If you sell a Covered Security, you may not repurchase the same security for at least 30 calendar days.

 

  C.

Holding Requirements Specific to MSIMJ Employees

When selling equity and equity-linked notes, Covered Persons at MSIMJ must hold such instruments for at least six months; however, Compliance may grant an exception if the instruments are held for at least 30 calendar days from the date of purchase. This includes transactions in Morgan Stanley securities.

 

14


  D.

Holding Requirements Specific to HK Type 9 License Holder Employees

All personal account investments (including Exempt Securities) made by Hong Kong Type 9 License Holders are required to be held for a minimum of 30 calendar days.

 

V.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

  A.

Initial Reporting and Certification

When you commence employment with MSIM or otherwise become a Covered Person, you must provide an Initial Disclosure Form (the “Initial Report”) to Compliance no later than 10 calendar days after you become a Covered Person. The information you provide must not be more than 45 calendar days old from the day you became a Covered Person and must include:

 

   

the title and type, and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of any Covered Security;

 

   

the name of any broker-dealer, bank or financial institution where you maintain an account in which any securities are held;

 

   

any Outside Activities; and

 

   

the date you submitted the Initial Report.

All new Covered Persons will receive training on the principles and procedures of the Code. As a Covered Person, you must also certify that you have read, understand and agree to abide by the terms of the Code, including but not limited to, the disclosure of Outside Accounts, Outside activities and Private Investments that are required to be logged in the Outside Business Interest system within 30 calendar and the transfer or closure of the account within 60 days of hire. If you have any questions, contact your local Compliance group.

 

  B.

Quarterly Reporting and Certification

You must submit a Quarterly Transaction Report to Compliance no later than 30 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, or in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to your region. The Quarterly Report must contain the information set forth below.

 

   

For transactions in an Employee Security Account during the previous quarter you must provide:

 

   

the date of the transaction, the title, and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares and principal amount of any Covered Security;

 

15


   

the nature of the transaction (i.e. purchase, sale or other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

   

the price of the security at which the transaction was effected;

 

   

the name of the broker-dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and

 

   

the date you submitted the Quarterly Report.

You do not have to submit a Quarterly Transaction Report if it would duplicate information provided in broker trade confirmations or account statements that Compliance already receives or may access.

 

   

For any new account established by you during the previous quarter in which any securities are held for your direct or indirect benefit, you must provide:

 

   

the name of the broker-dealer, bank or financial institution with which you established the account;

 

   

the date the account was established; and

 

   

the date you submitted the Quarterly Transaction Report.

A reminder to complete the Quarterly Transaction Report will be provided to you by Compliance.

 

  C.

Annual Reporting and Certification

You must update, as applicable, and certify to the following information on an annual basis (the “Annual Report”):

 

   

a list of your current Morgan Stanley brokerage account(s);

 

   

a list of all securities and principal amount beneficially owned by you in these account(s);

 

   

a list of all your approved Outside Activities, including non-Morgan Stanley brokerage accounts, Private Investments and Outside Activities;

 

   

a list of all other investments you hold outside of Morgan Stanley (such as DRIPs, other 401(k) accounts and any securities held in certificate form);

 

   

a list of broker-dealers, banks or financial institutions with which you maintain an account in which any securities are held; and

 

16


   

that you have not made, directly or indirectly, any individual investment decision related to such managed account(s), nor have you directed another person to make such investments without first pre-clearing those transactions in accordance with Section III.

The information in the Annual Report must not be more than 45 calendar days old from the day you submit it to Compliance. You must also certify that you have read and agree to abide by the requirements of the Code and that you are in compliance with the Code.

The link to the Annual Report will be provided to you by Compliance.

Hong Kong Type 9 License Holders are required to submit their holdings on a semi-annual basis in October every year.

 

VI.

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

 

  A.

Approval to Engage in an Outside Activity

You may not engage in any Outside Activity, regardless of whether or not you receive compensation or are asked to engage in such activity by the Firm, without prior approval from Compliance. If you receive approval, it is your responsibility to notify Compliance immediately if any conflict or potential conflict of interest arises in the course of the Outside Activity or if the nature of the activity changes, materially. In addition, and as part of the Annual Certification of Employees, you are required to review/edit each disclosure for completeness and accuracy.

Examples of an Outside Activity include providing consulting services, organizing a company, giving a formal lecture or publishing a book or article, accepting compensation from any person or organization other than the Firm, serving as an officer, employee, director, partner, member, or advisory board member of a company or organization not affiliated with the Firm, whether or not related to the financial services industry (including charitable organizations or activities for which you do not receive compensation), setting up a holding company for investments or investing in rental properties. For U.S. registered Employees only, real estate investments that generate rental income require disclosure in the OBI System, unless the property is also used by the Employee as a primary, secondary or vacation residence. Generally, Compliance will not approve any Outside Activity related to the securities or financial services industry other than activities that reflect the interests of the industry as a whole and that are not in competition with those of the Firm.

In the case of employees of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (“AIP”), where serving on an advisory board for a company in which AIP invests is part of the AIP employee’s roles and responsibilities as an employee of AIP, such service shall not be considered an Outside Activity and approval via the OBI System is not required. The relevant senior business managers are responsible for approving Employees to serve on advisory boards, documenting such approvals, maintaining a list of such Employees, and reviewing the list in consultation with the relevant Compliance officers at least annually.

 

17


A request to serve on the board of any company, particularly the board of a public company, will be granted in very limited instances only. If you receive approval, your directorship may be subject to the implementation of information barrier procedures to isolate you from making investment decisions for Clients concerning the company in question, as applicable.

 

  B.

Approval to Invest in a Private Investment

You may not invest in a Private Investment of any kind without prior approval from Compliance. Private Investments include investments in privately held corporations, limited partnerships, tax shelter programs, hedge funds (including those sponsored by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates), and holding companies (i.e. LLC, LP, S-Corp, C-Corp, etc.).

 

  C.

Pre-Clearance Process

You may request pre-clearance of Outside Activities and Private Investments by typing “OBI” into your intranet browser.

 

VII.

CONSULTANTS AND TEMPORARY WORKERS

Consultants and other temporary workers who fall under the definition of a Covered Person by virtue of their duties and responsibilities with MSIM must adhere to the following:

 

   

Initial, quarterly and annual reporting;

 

   

Provision of duplicate trade confirmations and account statements to Compliance for transactions in any Covered Security;

 

   

Prohibition against participating in any IPOs;

 

   

Pre-clearance of Outside Activities and Private Investments.

Certain Consultants or temporary workers may be required to pre-clear all personal securities transactions in Covered Securities. Consultants or temporary workers that are hired for positions lasting more than one year or are otherwise classified as a Covered Person by their assignment contacts/managers or Complinace are required to transfer brokerage accounts to a Morgan Stanley Broker or Firm approved third party broker as applicable to the respective jurisdiction.

 

18


VIII.

REVIEW, INTERPRETATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS

Compliance is responsible for administering the Code and reviewing your Initial, Quarterly and Annual Reports. Compliance has the authority to make final decisions regarding Code policies and may grant an exception to a policy as long as it determines that no abuse or potential abuse is involved. Exceptions are granted only in rare and unusual circumstances, such as financial hardship. You must contact Compliance with any questions regarding the applicability, meaning or administration of the Code, including requests for an exception, in advance of any contemplated transaction.

 

IX.

ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS

Violations of the Code are reported to the Head of MSIM Compliance and senior management and, on a quarterly basis, to the applicable funds’ board of directors. We may issue letters of warning/education or impose sanctions as appropriate, including notifying your manager, issuing a reprimand (orally or in writing), restricting your trading privileges, reducing your discretionary bonus, if any, requiring reversal of a trade made in violation of the Code or other applicable policies, or taking other disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or termination of your employment. Violations are considered on a cumulative basis. The foregoing sanctions are intended to be guidelines only. Compliance, in its discretion, may recommend alternative actions if deemed warranted by the facts and circumstances of each situation. MSIM management, including the Head of MSIM Compliance, is authorized to determine the choice of actions to be taken in specific cases.

Sanctions may vary based on applicable law and regulatory requirements in your jurisdiction.

 

X.

RELATED POLICIES

In addition to this Code, you are also subject to the policies and procedures documented in the Compliance Manual applicable to your region; the Global Employee Trading Investing and Outside Business Activities Policy; the Morgan Stanley Code of Conduct; t he Global Confidential and Material Non-Public Information Policy; the Policy on U.S. Political Contributions and Activities; and the IM Global Gifts, Entertainment and Charitable Giving Policy (requirements may vary in non-U.S. offices).

 

19


SCHEDULE A

SECURITIES TRANSACTION MATRIX

 

TYPE OF SECURITY

  

Pre-Clearance

Required

(via TPC)

  

Reporting

Required

  

30 Calendar days

Holding

Period

Required

Covered Securities

Pooled Investment Vehicles:
Closed-End Funds    Yes    Yes    Yes
Open-End Mutual Funds advised by MSIM    No    Yes    Yes
Open-End Mutual Funds sub-advised by MSIM    No    Yes    Yes
Unit Investment Trusts    No    Yes    No
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)    Yes    Yes    Yes
Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs)    Yes    Yes    Yes
Hedge Funds    Yes    Yes    Yes
Equities:
Morgan Stanley securities 6    No    Yes    Yes
Common Stocks    Yes    Yes    Yes
Listed depository receipts e.g. ADRs, ADSs, GDRs    Yes    Yes    Yes
DRIPs 7    Yes    Yes    Yes
Stock Splits    No    Yes    No
Rights    Yes    Yes    Yes
Stock Dividend    No    Yes    No
Warrants (Listed and Exercised)    Yes    Yes    Yes
Preferred Stock    Yes    Yes    Yes
Listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)    Yes    Yes   

Yes

Initial Public Offerings (equity IPOs) and Secondary/ Follow on offerings

   PROHIBITED
Private Investments in Public Equity Securities (PIPES)    PROHIBITED
Derivatives:
Morgan Stanley (stock options)    Yes    Yes    Yes
Common Stock Options    Yes    Yes    Yes
Forward Contracts (including currency forwards)    PROHIBITED
Commodities Contracts    PROHIBITED
OTC warrants or swaps    PROHIBITED
Futures    PROHIBITED

 

6  

Employees may transact in Morgan Stanley securities during designated window periods. In addition, the pre-clearance of transactions in Morgan Stanley securities is required for all Access Persons.

7  

Automatic purchases for dividend reinvestment plan are not subject to pre-approval requirements.

 

20


TYPE OF SECURITY

  

Pre-Clearance

Required

(via TPC)

  

Reporting

Required

  

30 days Holding Period

Required

Fixed Income Instruments :
Fannie Mae    Yes    Yes    Yes
Freddie Mac    Yes    Yes    Yes
Corporate Bonds    Yes    Yes    Yes
Convertible Bonds (converted)    Yes    Yes    Yes
Municipal Bonds    Yes    Yes    Yes
New Issues (fixed income)    Yes    Yes    Yes
High Yield Securities    PROHIBITED
Private Investments (e.g. limited partnerships)    Yes    Yes    N/A
Private Investments and Outside Activities :
Private Investments (e.g., limited partnerships)    Yes (via OBI)    Yes    N/A
Outside Activities    Yes (via OBI)    Yes    N/A
Investment Clubs    PROHIBITED
Exempt Securities :
Mutual Funds (open-end) not advised or sub-advised by MSIM    No    Yes   

No*

(Except for Hong Kong SFC Type 9 licensed employees as 30 calendar days

holding period is required for all personal account investments in securities including exempt securities for such employees)

US Treasury/Sovereign Debt 8    No    Yes
Brokerage CDs    No    Yes
Money Market Funds    No    Yes
GNMA    No    Yes
Commercial Paper    No    Yes
Bankers’ Acceptances    No    Yes
Investment Grade Short-Term Debt Instruments 9    No    Yes

 

8  

Sovereign debt securities rated AA or higher.

9  

For these purposes, repurchase agreements and any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of fewer than 366 days that is rated as investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

*

Yes: for Hong Kong SFC Type 9 licensed employees as 30 calendar day holding period is required for all personal account investments in securities including exempt securities

 

21


SCHEDULE B

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT DIVISION

(excluding Private Side)

Registered Investment Advisers

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Private Investment Partners, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited (MSIM Ltd.)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company (Singapore)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Japan) Co., Ltd. (MSIMJ)

Registered Commodity Pool Operator/Commodity Trading Advisor

Ceres Managed Futures LLC

Investment Advisers that are not registered

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited (MSIM Private Limited) (with respect to Public Side Investment Management Employees only)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Australia) Pty Limited

Morgan Stanley Asia Limited (MSAL) (with respect to Public Side Investment Management Employees only)

Broker-Dealer

Morgan Stanley Distribution Inc.

Transfer Agent

Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.

Global In-house Centers (India)

Morgan Stanley Advantage Services Pvt. Ltd. (with respect to Public Side Investment Management Employees only)

Morgan Stanley Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. (with respect to Investment Management Public Side Employees only)

Others:

MSIP Seoul Branch (“MSK”) (with respect to Public Side Investment Management Employees only)

 

22

LOGO


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

I. PURPOSE AND DESIGN

     2  

II. DEALING WITH CLIENTS

     4  

III. TRANSACTIONS & REPORTING

     5  

IV. INSIDER TRADING

     11  

V. OTHER POLICIES

     15  

VI. SUPERVISORY PROCEDURES

     17  

VII. ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS

     18  

VIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     20  

IX. DEFINITIONS

     22  

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018   


As most recently approved on:

October 1, 2018                       

CODE OF ETHICS

FOR

SEGALL BRYANT & HAMILL

 

   

Must obtain pre-approval of securities transactions

 

   

Disallowed personal transactions seven days after a Managed Account transaction in that same security except as allowed by the De Minimis exemption

 

   

Must receive prior approval of Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Executive Officer or his/her designee to trade private placements

 

   

Prohibited from purchasing initial public offerings

 

   

Must submit quarterly report of transactions

 

   

Must provide a report of Annual Holdings and list of all brokerage accounts

 

   

Must notify Compliance before opening brokerage accounts

 

   

Must provide a report of initial holdings and list of all brokerage accounts

 

   

Must have duplicate confirmations and statements sent to Compliance

 

   

Prohibited from serving as director of public company without approval of Chief Executive Officer

 

   

Must report outside business activities

 

   

Must report related persons in securities business

 

   

Prohibition on insider trading

 

   

Prohibited from accepting gifts deemed excessive

 

   

Must disclose conflicts of interest to Compliance Department

 

   

Must ensure that gifts given or received, entertainment, political contributions and charitable contributions are in compliance with applicable rules, requirements and business practices

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    1


I. PURPOSE AND DESIGN

This Code of Ethics (“Code”) is adopted by Segall Bryant & Hamill (the “Adviser”) in an effort to prevent violations of the Investment Advisers & Investment Company Acts of 1940, and the Rules and Regulations thereunder.

The philosophy of the Code includes:

 

  1.

The duty at all times to place the interests of clients first;

 

  2.

The requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted in such a manner as to be consistent with the Code and to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an employee’s position of trust and responsibility;

 

  3.

The principle that Adviser personnel should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions;

 

  4.

The principle that information concerning the identity of security holdings and financial circumstances of clients is confidential;

 

  5.

The principle that independence in the investment decision-making process is paramount;

 

  6.

The principle that Adviser personnel should protect clients by deterring misconduct;

 

  7.

The principle that the Adviser should educate employees regarding the Adviser’s expectations and the laws governing their conduct;

 

  8.

The principle that the Adviser should remind employees that they are in a position of trust and must act with propriety at all times;

 

  9.

The principle that Adviser personnel should protect the reputation of the Adviser;

 

  10.

The principle that Adviser personnel should guard against violation of the securities laws; and

 

  11.

The principle that the Adviser should establish procedures for employees to follow so that the Adviser may determine whether its employees are complying with the Adviser’s ethical principles.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    2


Each Access Person must read and retain a copy of this Code and will be asked to acknowledge electronically or in writing that they have received, read and agree to be bound by the Code within 10 days of their start date and annually acknowledge compliance with the Code. All forms referenced within the Code can be found in the Schwab Compliance Technologies (“SchwabCT”) application. SchwabCT is a web-based compliance monitoring tool that is utilized by the Adviser to help manage the compliance program.

Questions regarding the Code are to be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (“CCO”) or his or her designee or the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) who sit on the Adviser’s Management Committee.

This Code does not attempt to identify all possible conflicts of interest, and literal compliance with each of its specific provisions may not shield personnel from liability for personal trading or other conduct that violates a fiduciary duty to clients or Fund shareholders.

It is an obligation of each Access Person to report any violations of this Code to the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer. All reports will be treated confidentially and investigated promptly and appropriately. The Adviser will not tolerate interference or retaliation of any kind against any Employee who in good faith reports a violation of the Code by another employee and any retaliation constitutes a further violation of the Code in accordance with the Adviser’s whistleblower policy found in the employee handbook.

Key terms are capitalized throughout the document and defined in “Section IX. Definitions” or within the document itself.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    3


II. DEALING WITH CLIENTS

Dealing With Clients . Access Persons are prohibited from:

 

  1.

Personally selling or purchasing securities directly or indirectly to or from a client account;

 

  2.

Defrauding such client in any manner;

 

  3.

Misleading such client, including by making a statement that omits material facts;

 

  4.

Engaging in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon such client;

 

  5.

Engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to such client;

 

  6.

Engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation;

 

  7.

Except as may be disclosed in the Adviser’s Form ADV, favoring one client over another client (i.e., larger accounts over smaller accounts, accounts compensated by performance fees over accounts not so compensated, accounts in which employees have made material personal investments, accounts of close friends or relatives of Access Persons).

Any material conflict(s) must be disclosed to the Chief Compliance Officer, using SchwabCT. See Conflict(s) of Interest disclosure in SchwabCT. A conflict of interest occurs when the personal interests of employees interfere or could potentially interfere with their responsibilities to the Adviser and its clients. For example, an Access Person utilizing the same brokerage firm in which they utilize for their client accounts in transacting in securities that have limited availability. Additionally, all Access Persons are to notify the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if they become the subject of a legal or regulatory proceeding.

All oral and written statements, including those made to clients, prospective clients, their representatives, or the media, must be professional, accurate to the best of your knowledge, balanced and not misleading in any material respect.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    4


III. TRANSACTIONS & REPORTING

1. Transactions

 

A.

Preclearance . Unless an exception as defined below applies, all Access Persons must receive pre-approval of all Security transactions of which such Access Person, will acquire Beneficial Ownership (hereinafter referred to as “Personal Securities Transaction(s)”). This generally will occur via the SchwabCT, but may also occur via the Adviser trading desks in specific circumstances.

Following preclearance approval, action must be taken by the employee either the same business day or the next business day or an additional preclearance will be required.

 

  General

Access Persons Trading Policies

 

  1.

Accounts – The Adviser utilizes the SchwabCT application for Personal Securities Transaction compliance and monitoring. All Access Persons are required to enter their account(s) for their Personal Securities Transactions into the SchwabCT application, regardless if the account only has Reportable Funds. Each account should list all securities in which the Access Person has a Beneficial Ownership, regardless of the name under which the securities are held. Securities held under the name of a spouse, minor children, or other dependents residing in the same household should be included. Exceptions to this rule may occur from time to time and must be preapproved by the Chief Compliance Officer. Where possible, direct feeds from outside brokers/custodians will be set up with SchwabCT for holdings and trading activity for monitoring purposes. For those accounts where direct feeds are not available, the employee will be required to manually load holdings and trading activity into the SchwabCT application.

 

  2.

Access Persons Trading—All transactions in a Security must be precleared by Access Persons through the SchwabCT application unless an exemption has been granted.

 

  (a)

In most circumstances, mutual fund shares are not required to be precleared in accordance with the Code. However, a Portfolio Manager who wishes to make redemptions from a Fund that he/she manages or is part of a team that manages, which are greater than $250,000 or 1% of the fund’s net asset value, whichever is less, in any 90-day period must seek and receive the approval of the CCO prior to making such redemptions and document such as a special preclearance.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    5


The following transactions do not require preclearance; they are exceptions to the preclearance policy:

 

  1.

Purchases or sales over which an Access Person has no direct or indirect ability to influence or control;

 

  2.

Purchases or sales pursuant to an automatic investment plan, which includes a dividend reinvestment plan;

 

  3.

Purchases effected upon exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuers, and sales of such rights so acquired;

 

  4.

Acquisition of securities through stock dividends, dividend reinvestments, stock splits, reverse stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, and other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions generally applicable to all holders of the same class of securities;

 

  5.

Mutual funds, except as noted above;

 

  6.

Unit investment trusts;

 

  7.

Futures and options on currencies or a broad-based securities index;

 

  8.

Other non-volitional events, such as assignment of options or exercise of an option at expiration;

 

  9.

The acquisition of securities by gift or inheritance;

 

  10.

Municipal securities (including securities offered through education savings plans operated by a state pursuant to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

  11.

Corporate debt securities with a remaining maturity (at the time of purchase) of 12 months or less;

 

  12.

Non-securities commodities.

Factors Compliance May Consider in Preclearance:

 

  1.

Whether the transaction is within the established De Minimis limits;

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    6


  2.

Whether any client has a pending “buy” or “sell” order in that security or has completed a purchase or sale of that security that day;

 

  3.

Whether the amount or nature of the Personal Securities Transaction or person making it is likely to affect the price of or market for the Security;

 

  4.

Whether the Personal Securities Transaction would create the appearance of impropriety, whether or not an actual conflict exits;

 

  5.

Whether the Security proposed to be purchased or sold is one that would qualify for purchase or sale by any client;

 

  6.

Whether the Personal Securities Transaction is non-voluntary on the part of the individual, such as the receipt of a stock dividend; and

 

  7.

Whether the Security is currently being considered for purchase or sale by a client or has been so considered in the past seven (7) days.

 

B.

Limitations on Transactions.

 

  1.

An Access Person shall not transact in Securities for an account of which he or she is a Beneficial Owner within seven (7) calendar days after a Managed Account; however, Managed Account transactions of 500 shares or less will be excluded from this prohibition.

 

  2.

Short Term Trading. While the Adviser does not have a specific policy prohibiting short-term trading (i.e. 60 day holding periods), or the disgorgement of any short-term profits, short-term trading should not be done on an excessive basis. Compliance will monitor trading for patterns that may be deemed excessive.

 

C.

Prohibited Transactions

 

  1.

Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”) . Access Persons and their immediate family members are prohibited from purchasing IPOs.

 

  2.

Limited or Private Offerings . Access Persons are prohibited from purchasing private placements without formal prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or his/her designee. In considering the approval, the CEO or their designee will consider whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a client.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    7


  3.

Insider Trading . Access Persons are prohibited from engaging in Insider Trading (see Section IV.) .

 

D.

Exemption

An Access Person may be granted an exception from certain provisions of the Code on a case-by-case basis by the Chief Compliance Officer. In certain situations, the Chief Compliance Officer may apply an exemption to a group of employees.

Sections A and B above, do not apply to individuals granted an exemption thereto by the Management Committee of the Adviser, where such individuals may otherwise be deemed an Access Person. Such exemption will be in writing and maintained in the corporate record books of the Adviser.

 

E.

Reporting

 

  1.

Holdings Report. Within 10 calendar days of becoming an Access Person, such Access Person is required to provide a report of all their current holdings of Securities, to include Reportable Funds, to the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her delegate. This regulatory requirement is satisfied by each Access Person loading their holdings into SchwabCT within the 10-day window. Additionally, all Access Persons are required annually to disclose/validate personal Securities holdings and Reportable Funds via SchwabCT.    There may be circumstances where Compliance will require brokerage statements. If there are holdings other than those reflected on SchwabCT or a traditional broker/dealer account (i.e. private placements, securities held in bank safe deposit boxes), those must also be disclosed on SchwabCT. The holdings report must include:

 

  (a)

The title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, type of security, number of shares and principal amount (if applicable) of each reportable security in which the employee has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;

 

  (b)

The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the employee maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit and account numbers;

 

  (c)

The date the report is submitted; and

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    8


  (d)

The information supplied must be current of a date no more than 45 days before the annual report is submitted. For new employees or Access Persons, the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the person became an employee or Access Person.

 

  2.

Quarterly Report. Access Persons are required to submit quarterly reports hereunder to the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her delegate. Not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, each Access Person is required to submit a report via SchwabCT which includes the following information with respect to transactions during the calendar quarter in any Security, including Reportable Funds, in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquired, any Beneficial Ownership in the Security (the term Security includes all securities listed under Section IX. hereof, including government securities, etc. even if not specifically included for the purposes of preclearance.):

 

  (a)

The date of the transaction, the title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, and the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Security involved;

 

  (b)

The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, gift or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

  (c)

The price at which the transaction was effected;

 

  (d)

The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected;

 

  (e)

Interest rate and maturity date, if applicable; and

 

  (f)

Date report was submitted.

With respect to any account established by an Access Person in which any Securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person, the report must also include:

 

  (a)

The name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account; and

 

  (b)

The date the account was established.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    9


If no transactions have occurred during the period, the report shall so indicate.

 

  3.

Annual Report . Not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar year, employees and Access Persons are required to certify via SchwabCT (a) the brokerage accounts they have reported to compliance (b) the holdings in the brokerage accounts if not already reported, (c) that they have read and understand the Code, have complied with the Code and have disclosed or reported all Personal Securities Transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the Code, and (d) that they are not subject to any disciplinary events listed in Item 11 of Form ADV, Part 1.

 

  4.

Reports on Violations . In addition to the reports required under this Code, Access Persons shall report promptly, in accordance with the Adviser’s whistleblower policy found in the employee handbook, any transaction which is, or might appear to be, in violation of the Code to the Chief Compliance Officer and/or to the Managing Director who sits on the Management Committee.

Examples of these could be:

 

  (a)

Noncompliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations;

 

  (b)

Fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of the Adviser’s business;

 

  (c)

Material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, clients records or reports;

 

  (d)

Activity that is harmful to clients, including Fund shareholders; and

 

  (e)

Deviations from required controls and procedures that safeguard clients and the Adviser.

The Chief Compliance Officer will report to the Management Committee, at least annually, regarding any material violations of the Code. In the event the Adviser advises or subadvises Funds, the Chief Compliance Officer will provide a written report to the Fund Board of Directors/Trustees in the form requested by the Fund, at least annually, that (a) describes any issues arising under the Code or procedures since the last report to the Board of Directors, including but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or procedures or sanctions imposed in response to the material violation and (b) certifying that the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    10


  5.

Filing of Reports . All reports prepared pursuant to this Code shall be filed with the Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser or his/her designee.

 

  6.

Dissemination of Reports . The Adviser’s external legal counsel shall have the right at any time to receive copies of any reports submitted pursuant to this Code. Such external legal counsel shall keep all reports confidential except as disclosure thereof to the Management Committee, other appropriate persons as may be reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Code, or as required under applicable regulations.

 

  7.

Outside Brokerage Accounts . All Access Persons are required to have duplicate confirmations and statements from outside investment accounts sent to the Adviser’s Compliance Department, unless such information is provided electronically through alternative means.

 

F.

Related Persons in Securities Business . All Access Persons are required to report to the Compliance Department via SchwabCT, any immediate family members that are engaged in the securities business, or any other related persons either by lineage or marriage that the Access Person believes may be a conflict of interest.

IV. INSIDER TRADING

Investment advisers are required by applicable regulations to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures designed to prevent the misuse of material non-public information by its directors, officers and employees. “ Insider ” means, with respect to an Adviser, an Associated Person of such Adviser or any Affiliated Person thereof, who is given access to or obtains material, non-public information.

 

A.

Insider Trading. ” means the use of material, non-public information to trade in a Security (whether or not one is an Insider) or the communication of material, non-public information to others.

 

  1.

It is unlawful for any person to misuse, directly or indirectly, any material, non-public information (see definition below). Personnel may not:

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    11


  (a)

Purchase or sell such securities for their own accounts, for accounts in which they have a beneficial interest, or over which they have the power, directly or indirectly, to make investment decisions;

 

  (b)

Issue research reports, recommendations or comments which could be construed as recommendations; or

 

  (c)

Disclose such information or any conclusions based thereon to any other person.

Individuals needing this information to carry out professional responsibilities (i.e., compliance officer, and legal counsel) must also treat this information confidentially.

Although there is no intent to violate the law, an off-hand comment to a friend may be used, unbeknownst to you, by your friend to trade in securities and could result in substantial civil and criminal liabilities to you.

Thus, to avoid possible violations, investment advisers must exercise great care in their supervision of employees and in the securities transactions of their personnel. If there is any question as to whether a contemplated purchase or sale, the issuance of research reports, or disclosing such information to any other person would violate the insider trading rules, the employee must consult with the Adviser’s CCO prior to executing the transaction.

 

B.

Penalties. ” The penalties for insider trading are severe for both the individual and the controlling persons (supervisors who may be held liable). The penalties, which may be imposed on the person who committed a violation, include civil injunctions, permanent bars from employment in the securities industry, civil penalties up to three times the profits made or losses avoided, criminal fines, and jail sentences.

 

C.

Material Non-Public Information. ” Any information which has not been made public and which a reasonable investor might consider important in making an investment decision. Examples of the types of information that are likely to be deemed “material” include, but are not limited to:

 

  1.

Dividend increases or decreases;

 

  2.

Earnings estimates or material changes in previously released earnings estimates;

 

  3.

Significant expansion or curtailment of operations;

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    12


  4.

Significant increases or declines in revenue;

 

  5.

Significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, including tender offers;

 

  6.

Significant new products or discoveries;

 

  7.

Extraordinary borrowings;

 

  8.

Major litigation;

 

  9.

Liquidity problems;

 

  10.

Extraordinary management developments;

 

  11.

Purchase and sale of substantial assets;

 

  12.

A valuable employee leaving or becoming seriously ill; and

 

  13.

Change in pension plans (i.e., removal of assets from an over-funded plan, or an increase or decrease in future contributions).

 

  (a)

For “non-public information” to be made public, it must be generally available through non-disclosure in a national business or financial wire service (i.e., Dow Jones or Reuters), a national news service (AP or UPI), a national newspaper (i.e., Wall Street Journal), or a public disseminated disclosure document (prospectus or proxy).

 

D.

Firewall. ” By restricting, as much as possible, the number of individuals having access to “material information,” an investment adviser is building a good defense against possible violations. The existence of a “Firewall” controls the flow of material non-public information within a multi-service company. A Firewall seeks to prevent disclosure of confidential client information to persons within or without the Adviser except as necessary to a client. Formalizing all such communications can ensure that any disclosures through the Firewall are proper. An even higher degree of control over communication between departments may require approval of the CEO, CIO, or the CCO. Access to files should also be restricted.

 

E.

Watch and Restricted Lists. ” Watch lists are maintained to assist in the monitoring of conflicts of interest.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    13


A restricted list is maintained any time the Adviser has inside information and prohibitions of any trading (personal or for clients) in securities of issuers.

 

F.

Front-Running .” While not necessarily insider trading, front-running is prohibited. Front-running consists of executing a Personal Securities Transaction based on the knowledge of a forthcoming transaction or recommendation in the same or underlying security (“Piggy Backing” consists of executing a Personal Securities Transaction based on the knowledge of a transaction or recommendation in the same or underlying security that has already occurred).

 

G.

Prevention of Insider Trading . To prevent Insider Trading, the CCO of the Adviser or his or her designee(s), shall:

 

  1.

Take appropriate measures to familiarize Access Persons with the Code via training;

 

  2.

Answer questions regarding the Code;

 

  3.

Resolve issues of whether information received by an Insider is material and/or non-public;

 

  4.

Review and update the Code as necessary;

 

  5.

Strive for a physical separation of the trading and research departments from those departments in possession of the sensitive information; and

 

  6.

Take steps to restrict access to the information including computer passwords and the use of code names.

 

H.

Detection of Insider Trading . To detect Insider Trading, the CCO of the Adviser or his or her designee(s), shall:

 

  1.

Review the trading activity reports filed by each Access Person; and

 

  2.

Review the trading activity of the Adviser, as applicable.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    14


V. OTHER POLICIES

 

A.

Gifts and Entertainment.

General Statement . A conflict of interest occurs when the personal interests of employees interfere or could potentially interfere with their responsibilities to the Adviser and its clients. The overriding principle is that Access Persons should not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or other things of material value that could influence their decision-making or make them feel beholden to a person or the Adviser. Similarly, Access Persons should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel beholden to the Adviser or the Access Person. Access Persons are required to complete the Conflict of Interest form in SchwabCT as requested by the Chief Compliance Officer. This general principle applies in addition to the more specific guidelines set forth below.

 

  1.

Gifts . No Access Person may receive any gift, service, or other thing of more than de minimis value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the adviser. No Access Person may give or offer any gift of more than de minimis value to existing clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the adviser without preapproval by the Chief Compliance Officer. $100 is the general de minimis guideline. There is a Department of Labor reporting requirement for any gifts greater than $250 to a union official per year.

 

  2.

Cash. No Access Person may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from a client, prospective client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the adviser.

 

  3.

Entertainment . No Access Person may provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a client, prospective client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of the Adviser. Access Persons may provide or accept a business entertainment event in the ordinary course of business, such as dinner or a sporting event, of reasonable value, if the person or entity providing the entertainment is present. This provision is also an exception to the prohibition on gifts set forth in Section A.1 above.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    15


  4.

Government Officials . Please note that certain state or other governmental agencies may have regulations which restrict or prohibit gifts or entertainment. Each employee wishing to give or receive a gift or entertainment is responsible for determining whether any such restriction applies when dealing with such agencies or officials thereof.

 

B.

Service as a Director . Access Persons are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization from the Management Committee based upon a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of clients, including a Fund and its shareholders. If an Access Person serves on the board of a private entity that goes public, approval to continue on the board of the public company is required.

 

C.

Outside Business Activities . Access Persons are required to disclose via SchwabCT any outside business activities, whether or not they are securities related. The CCO will consult with senior management regarding the allowance of such activity. Examples include being a board member of a non-profit organization, outside employment, consulting engagements, serving as executive trustee or power of attorney for non-family members, etc.

 

D.

Political Contributions. Access Persons should not make or solicit political contributions for the purpose of obtaining or retaining advisory contracts with government entities. All political contributions should be precleared in accordance with the Compliance Manual using SchwabCT.

 

E.

Privacy. Client trust is important to the Adviser. The Adviser takes the safeguarding and respect of client information very seriously.

It is the Adviser’s policy to:

 

  1.

Respond to fraud and activity alerts;

 

  2.

Properly secure client information;

 

  3.

Properly handle notices of identity theft;

 

  4.

Respond to any notifications about identity theft and restrict the further distribution of blocked information;

 

  5.

Report altered or suspicious documents to Compliance and a Manager;

 

  6.

Only provide account information to account owner and address of record. Third parties can only be sent information with proper written authorization of the client on file; and

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    16


  7.

If an employee becomes aware of a breach within the Firm, notify Compliance and a Manager. The client may need to be made aware of a breach by letter. Certain States may also require notification to them. The client letter will include the information breached. This may include situations such as a document, which includes client information, being sent to the wrong client.

 

F.

Electronic Communications. Electronic communications have been interpreted to constitute written communications required to be retained under Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act and other applicable laws and regulations. Examples include E-mails, Facsimiles, File Transfer Protocols (FTP’s), Electronic Bulletin Boards, Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging (IM). All employees must adhere to and sign-off on the Employee Electronic Communications Agreement on an annual basis. The Agreement will be reviewed with each employee as part of their new employee Compliance Training.

VI. SUPERVISORY PROCEDURES

The following supervisory procedures shall be implemented:

 

A.

The Compliance Department, on a quarterly basis, reviews Access Persons’ transactions (including those accounts for which they have a beneficial interest in or have control over). They also verify the receipt of preclearance forms, duplicate confirmations statements and quarterly forms. This review does not include a comparison with Wrap trades. The CCO or his or her designee will provide the CEO with the CCO quarterly transactions and holdings report for sign-off.

 

B.

Issues are brought to the appropriate management attention. This may include:

 

  1.

An assessment of whether the person followed any required internal procedures, such as preclearance;

 

  2.

Comparison of personal trading to any watch/restricted lists;

 

  3.

An assessment of whether the person is trading for his or her own account in the same securities he or she is trading for clients, and if so, whether the clients are receiving terms as favorable as the person takes for him or herself;

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    17


  4.

Periodically analyzing the person’s trading for patterns that may indicate abuse, including market timing; and

 

  5.

An investigation of any substantial disparities between the percentage of trades that are profitable when the person trades for his or her own account and the percentage that are profitable when he or she places trades for clients.

 

C.

Formal Code of Ethics training will be provided by Compliance for all new employees and Annual Code of Ethics training will be provided for all employees. In addition, all employees newly registered as Associated Persons with the National Futures Association, if applicable, will complete ethics training within six months of becoming registered and periodic ethics training will be completed by all Associated Persons.

 

D.

The Code will be reviewed by the Compliance Department on at least an annual basis regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of the Code.

VII. ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS

 

A.

General . Any Access Person who is found to have violated any provision of this Code including filing false or incomplete or untimely reports may be permanently dismissed, reduced in salary or position, temporarily suspended from employment, or sanctioned in such other manner as may be determined by the Management Committee in their discretion. In determining sanctions to be imposed for violations of this Code, the Management Committee may consider any factors deemed relevant, including without limitation:

 

  1.

The degree of willfulness of violation;

 

  2.

The severity of the violation;

 

  3.

The extent, if any, to which the violator profited or benefited from the violation;

 

  4.

The adverse effect, if any, on the client(s);

 

  5.

The market value and liquidity of the class of Securities involved in the violation;

 

  6.

The prior violations of the Code, if any, by the violator;

 

  7.

The circumstances of discovery of the violation; and

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    18


  8.

If the violation involved the purchase or sale of Securities in violation of this Code, (a) the price at which the purchase or sale was made and (b) the violator’s justification for making the purchase or sale, including the violator’s tax situation, the extent of the appreciation or depreciation of the Securities involved, and the period the Securities have been held.

 

B.

Rights of Alleged Violator . A person charged with a violation of this Code shall have the opportunity to appear before the Management Committee as it has authority to impose sanctions pursuant to this Code, at which time such person shall have the opportunity, orally or in writing, to respond to any and all charges, set forth mitigating circumstances, and set forth reasons why the sanctions for any violations should be more lenient than proposed.

 

C.

Notification to Funds . The Adviser shall notify each Fund of violations under this Code to the extent required under the Fund’s applicable policies and procedures.

 

D.

Delegation of Duties . The Management Committee may delegate its enforcement duties to a special committee of the Management Committee comprised of at least three persons or to the Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser; provided, however, that no director or person shall serve on such committee or participate in the deliberations of the Management Committee hereunder who is at the same time charged with a violation of this Code.

 

E.

Non-Exclusivity of Sanctions . The imposition of sanctions hereunder by the Management Committee shall not preclude the imposition of additional sanctions by a Board of Directors/Trustees of a Fund and shall not be deemed a waiver of any rights by a Fund. In addition to sanctions which may be imposed by the Management Committee or Boards of Directors, persons who violate this Code may be subject to various penalties and sanctions by applicable regulatory and enforcement agencies including, for example, (i) injunctions; (ii) treble damages, (iii) disgorgement of profits; (iv) fines to the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited, (v) demotion; (vi) termination; and (vii) jail sentences.

The Code adopted by the Adviser is designed to promote high standards of conduct. The Code gives the Adviser responsibility for determining sanctions in circumstances where the violation relates to the conduct of an employee of the Adviser. The Code identifies a number of factors for consideration in determining sanctions including the degree of willfulness of the violation; the severity of the violation and the adverse effect, if any, of the violation. The Code permits the Adviser to consider mitigating or exculpatory factors regarding such violations.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    19


F.

Potential Fines . The following are potential penalties for multiple violations of the Code within a twelve-month period.

 

Nature of Violation    Penalty

Late quarterly report filing; or

failure to notify Compliance of new brokerage account

  

First Violation: Written warning

Second: $100.00

Third: $200.00

Thereafter: Disciplinary action

Failure to obtain preclearance or preclearance obtained after trade date   

First Violation 1 : Written warning

Second: $250.00 2

Third: $500.00 2

Thereafter: Disciplinary action

VIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

A.

Identification of Access Persons .    The CCO or his/her designee shall, identify all Access Persons who are under a duty to make certain reports and shall inform such persons of such duty.    Individuals deemed to be Access Persons will receive notice from the compliance department. Any individual who do not receive such notice but consider themselves Access Persons should contact the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

B.

Maintenance of Records .    The following records will be maintained in a readily accessible place:

 

  1.

A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the past five years;

 

  2.

A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred;

 

  3.

A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, an Access Person;

 

  (a)

These records must be kept for five years after the individual ceases to be an Access Person of the Adviser.

 

1  

The penalties described herein are in addition to the option of disgorgement described in the Code of Ethics.

2  

The penalties described in this section are $750.00 and $1,500.00 for Second and Third Violations.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    20


  4.

Holdings and transactions reports made pursuant to the Code, including any brokerage confirmation and account statements made in lieu of these reports;

 

  5.

A list of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, Access Persons;

 

  6.

A record of any decision and supporting reasons for approving the acquisition of securities by Access Persons in limited offerings for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which approval was granted;

 

  7.

Maintain records of any decisions that grant persons a waiver from or exception to the Code.

 

  8.

Fund advisers will also maintain:

 

  (a)

A record of persons responsible for reviewing Access Persons’ reports currently or during the last five years; and

 

  (b)

A copy of reports provided to the Fund’s board of directors regarding the Code.

 

C.

Effective Date . The effective date of this Code shall be October 1, 2018.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    21


IX. DEFINITIONS

 

A.

Access Person ” is defined in Rule 204A-1 and includes any Supervised Person who:

has access to non-public information regarding any clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any account the adviser or its control affiliates manage;

or

is involved in making securities recommendations to clients or has access to such recommendations that are non-public.

Supervised Persons is defined in Rule 204A-1 to include all directors, officers, and partners of the adviser (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions). However, the Adviser also considers the following to be Supervised Persons:

 

  1.

Employees of the Adviser; and

 

  2.

Any other person who provides advice on behalf of the Adviser and is subject to the Adviser’s supervision and control.

From time to time there may be groups of people such as temporary workers, consultants, independent contractors, certain employees of affiliates, or any other persons as designated by the CCO that may be considered Access Persons under the Code.

The Adviser will maintain a list that includes the name of the employee, respective hire date and if applicable, termination date for each Access Person.

 

B.

Advisers Act ” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. ' 80b-1 to 80b-21 as amended.

 

C.

Natural Person Versus Person. ” A natural person is an individual. A person can also be an entity such as a corporation, partnership, or individual person.

 

D.

Affiliated Person ” of another person means:

 

  1.

Any person directly or indirectly owning, controlling, or holding with power to vote, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other person;

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    22


  2.

Any person, five percent (5%) or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, by such other person;

 

  3.

Any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such other person;

 

  4.

Any officer, director, partner, co-partner, or employee of such other person;

 

  5.

If such other person is as an investment company, and investment adviser thereof or any member of as an advisory board thereof; and

 

  6.

If such other person is as an unincorporated investment company not having a board of directors, the depositor thereof.

 

E.

Associated Person ” with respect to a company, means any partner, officer, director, or branch manager of such company (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such company; or any employee of such company.

 

F.

Beneficial Ownership ” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. It means the opportunity to profit directly or indirectly from a transaction or sharing a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. For example, a partnership, trust, corporation, investment club, contract arrangement, and understanding or a relationship are instances where a person may be deemed to have beneficial ownership. Here are other examples:

 

  1.

Securities held by an Access Person for his or her own benefit, whether such securities are in bearer form, registered in his or her own name, or otherwise;

 

  2.

Securities held by others for the Access Person’s benefit (regardless of whether or how such securities are registered), such as, for example, securities held for the Access Person by custodians, brokers, relatives, executors or administrators;

 

  3.

Securities held by a pledgee for an Access Person’s account;

 

  4.

Securities held by a trust in which an Access Person has an income or remainder interest unless the Access Person’s only interest is to receive principal (a) if some other remainderman dies before distribution or (b) if some other person can direct by will a distribution of trust property or income to the Access Person;

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    23


  5.

Securities held by an Access Person as trustee or co-trustee, where whether the Access Person or any member of their immediate family (i.e., spouse, children or their descendants, stepchildren, parents and their ancestors, and stepparents, in each case treating a legal adoption as blood relationship) has an income or remainder interest in the trust;

 

  6.

Securities held by a trust of which the Access Person is the settler, if the Access Person has the power to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all the beneficiaries;

 

  7.

Securities held by a general or limited partnership in which the Access Person is either the general partner of such partnership or the controlling partner of such entity. For these purposes, an Access Person will be considered to be a controlling partner of a partnership of such Access Person owns more than 25% of the partnership’s general or limited partnership interests;

 

  8.

Securities held by a personal holding company controlled by the Access Person alone or jointly with others;

 

  9.

Securities held in the name of the Access Person’s spouse unless legally separated;

 

  10.

Securities held in the name of minor children of the Access Person or in the name of any relative of the Access Person or of their spouse (including an adult child) who is presently sharing the Access Person’s home. This applies even if the Securities were not received from the Access Person and the dividends are not actually used for the maintenance of the Access Person’s home;

 

  11.

Securities held in the name of any person other than the Access Person and those listed in (9) and (10) above, if by reason of any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement, or other arrangement the Access Person obtains benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership;

 

  12.

Securities held in the name of any person other than the Access Person, even though the Access Person does not obtain benefits substantially equivalent to those ownership (as described in (11), above), if the Access Person can vest or re-vest title in himself.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    24


G.

Board of Directors/Trustees ” means the board of directors/trustees of a company or persons performing similar functions with respect to any organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated.

 

H.

Control ” shall have the meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act—power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company unless such power is solely the result of as an official position with such company.

 

I.

De Minimis exception ” shall be granted for transactions involving issuers with a market capitalization of $5 billion or more for equity securities. (The Market capitalization limit is subject to change by the CCO given market conditions, regulations, or other precipitating events that may cause the current limit to be insufficient.) Transactions involving fixed income securities may also be considered De Minimis and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Compliance considers several factors including trade size, volume, and price when reviewing employee trading.

 

J.

Fund ” means each and every registered investment company for which the Adviser provides advisory or subadvisory services, which includes Reportable Funds.

 

K.

Initial Public Offering ” (“IPO”) is a corporation’s first offering of a security representing shares of the company to the public. IPO (i.e., initial public offering) means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

L.

Member of Immediate Family ” of a person includes such person’s spouse, children under the age of twenty-five (25) years residing with such person or any relative by blood or marriage living in the employee’s household, and any trust or estate in which such person or any other member of his/her immediate family has a substantial beneficial interest, or controls the investment decision, unless such person or any other member of his/her immediate family cannot control or participate in the investment decisions of such trust or estate.

 

M.

Managed Account ” is as an account where continuous advice is given to a client or investments are made for a client based on the clients’ individual needs. This service is provided to clients on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. The adviser offers this service to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans and investment companies. Account supervision is guided by the stated objectives of the client (i.e., maximum capital appreciation, growth, income or growth and income).

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    25


N.

Management Committee ” means the committee deemed the Management Committee of the Adviser under the Adviser’s corporate governance structure.

 

O.

Portfolio Manager” means an employee of Adviser whose regular duties or functions include making decisions or recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by a client, to include a Fund. In most instances an employee that functions as Portfolio Manager has “Portfolio Manager” in his or her title.

 

P.

Purchase or Sale of a Security ” includes among other things, the writing of as an option to purchase or sell a Security.

 

Q.

Reportable Fund ” means any registered investment company that is advised or subadvised by an affiliate (i.e. another adviser that is controlled by or under common control with Adviser).

 

R.

Security ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act or Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act Security means any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing. It does not include direct obligation of the government of the United States, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments (any instrument having a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is in one of the two highest rating categories of a nationally recognized statistical organization) including repurchase agreements, money market funds, shares of registered open-end investment companies unless advised or sub-advised by the Adviser, shares of unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are advised or sub-advised by the Adviser, or other securities which may not be purchased

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    26


  by the Fund or Funds of which a person is as an Access Person because of investment limitations set forth in Registration Statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; however, that for purposes of the reporting requirements of Article IV, “Security” shall include securities issued by a Fund, and for purposes of the Insider Trading prohibition of Section II.A., “Security” shall include all securities set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Actor Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act.

 

SBH CODE OF ETHICS – OCTOBER 2018    27

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST

COLUMBIA FUNDS SERIES TRUST II

COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE SERIES TRUST II

COLUMBIA SELIGMAN PREMIUM TECHNOLOGY GROWTH FUND, INC.

TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION

(each a “Registrant”)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Michael G. Clarke, Marybeth Pilat, Joseph D’Alessandro, Paul B. Goucher, Ryan C. Larrenaga, Christopher O. Petersen, Michael E. DeFao and Megan E. Garcy, each individually, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent (each an “Attorney-in-Fact”) with power of substitution or resubstitution, in any and all capacities, including without limitation in the undersigned’s capacity as Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) of each Registrant, in the furtherance of the business and affairs of each Registrant: (i) to execute any and all instruments which said Attorney-in-Fact may deem necessary or advisable or which may be required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (together the “Acts”) and any other applicable federal securities laws, or rules, regulations or requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in respect thereof, in connection with the filing and effectiveness of each Registrant’s Registration Statement regarding the registration of each Registrant or its shares of beneficial interest, and any and all amendments thereto, including without limitation any reports, forms or other filings required by the Acts or any other applicable federal securities laws, or rules, regulations or requirements of the SEC; and (ii) to execute any and all federal, state or foreign regulatory or other required filings, including all applications with regulatory authorities, state charter or organizational documents and any amendments or supplements thereto, to be executed by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of, each Registrant. The undersigned hereby grants to each Attorney-in-Fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing contemplated above, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said Attorneys-in-Fact, individually or collectively, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

This Power of Attorney shall not be revoked by any subsequent power of attorney I may execute unless such subsequent power of attorney specifically refers to this Power of Attorney or specifically states that the instrument is intended to revoke all prior general powers of attorney or all prior powers of attorney (and unless otherwise required by a provision of law that cannot be waived). This Power of Attorney shall terminate automatically with respect to a Registrant if the undersigned ceases to hold the above-referenced office(s) of the Registrant.

 

Dated: February 1, 2019
/s/ Joseph Beranek
Joseph Beranek